FAQs

Hospice is a compassionate care for those with a life-limiting illness. Hospice focuses on providing pain relief, symptom relief and emotional and spiritual support to our patients and their loved ones so they can experience a quality life. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life by offering comfort and dignity.

Individuals whose prognosis is six months or less if the disease follows its normal course are eligible. If you meet these criteria, you must then evaluate whether you prefer comfort care or curative treatment during the last months of life. We respect the individual’s need to retain the power of choice—to face their illness and death in their own way and with dignity. Hope for a full recovery may be gone but hope for as much quality time as possible with loved ones still exists.

No. In order for patients and their families to get the most benefit from hospice care, Hospice of Crawford County encourages early referral to our program. Early referral allows our interventions to better enhance the quality of life and support for everyone involved. In fact, studies have shown that people who use hospice may actually live longer.

No. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. At Hospice of Crawford County, we are experts who provide our presence and specialized knowledge during the natural dying process. Our goal is to provide patients and their families with improved quality of life—free from pain, annoying symptoms, anxiety and hospitalizations—so patients can enjoy time with loved ones.

We provide care wherever you call home: A private residence, assisted living, nursing home, Marquette Hospice House, or the hospital. Hospice of Crawford County cares for people in Crawford, Erie, Venango, Mercer, Forest and Warren Counties.

Hospice helps you manage your pain and other symptoms while helping you and your loved ones adjust to the emotions and stress encountered with a serious illness. The Hospice team—which may include doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplain and volunteers—make regular visits to assess, teach and support you and your loved ones. They are available 24 / 7.

Hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran’s benefits and most private insurances. Most hospices have care available at a reduced cost or free for those who have no coverage. Hospice of Crawford County, a non-profit agency, never denies and provides the same quality of care to everyone regardless of ability to pay.

Every time someone is faced with a life-limiting illness it is appropriate to discuss all options for care. Most referrals come from the patient’s doctor however they can also come from family or friends, clergy, nursing home staff or the patient. Feel free to discuss hospice care with your physician or healthcare professional, clergy, family and friends any time. The final decision belongs to the patient.

No. Hospice of Crawford County recognizes the strong relationship a patient can have with their physician. Hospice functions as an extension of the patient’s attending physician. Our team works with each physician, serving as the eyes and ears of the physician in the home. If you do not have a doctor, Hospice of Crawford County has medical directors available to follow you.

Hospice of Crawford County is the area’s only non-profit community based hospice. Our resources are used to benefit our patients, their families and the community—not shareholders. Our board consists of local, concerned citizens—not out-of-town executives. Our medical directors are board certified in hospice and palliative care. We are the only local hospice that cares for children. We offer Marquette Hospice House to the community to meet their needs. We have proudly served our community since 1984 and are the first hospice in Northwest Pennsylvania to have earned Medicare certification.