HOSPICE CARE
Hospice is a visit-based service that focuses on meeting your physical, spiritual, and emotional needs as well as supporting your network of family, friends and professional caregivers. Quite simply, hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life—living life to the fullest when time is limited.

What services are available?

Hospice services include personalized care, medication, equipment and supplies to ensure comfort that lets you live life to the fullest. You will decide which services are right for you. Your plan will be reviewed by the hospice care team and Medical Director, and services will be provided by nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, music therapists, massage therapists and volunteers (including pet therapy). Bereavement services will be available for your friends and family for up to 13 months.

How do I initiate hospice services?

Hospice care can begin when you are diagnosed with an advanced illness with a limited life expectancy of six months or less, as defined by Medicare. You can initiate a conversation with your doctor or call Ecumen Hospice directly at 877-311-4997 to schedule a consultation.

Where do we provide care?

We provide care anywhere you may call home, from private residences to independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care facilities, group homes, cabins, and shelters. Hospice coordinates all services, including delivery of medications, equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis.

How is hospice paid for?

Most people use their Medicare benefit, which covers 100% of the cost to receive hospice, including care and support from health care professionals; medications, and supplies and equipment, including oxygen. It is also possible to use Medical Assistance, Veterans benefits, health insurance, and indigent care. Very few people use private funds to pay for hospice.

How is Ecumen Hospice different?

We have some of the most skilled and experienced team members in the region and they care deeply about doing an excellent job. Our people truly set us apart! They are good communicators, responsive to needs, and treat each person with the utmost respect and dignity. We work with each person and/or their family to fill out our “Life-Honoring Care” form, which helps us get to know each person and tailor our care on a personal level. In addition, you can reach out to our on-call RN 24/7/365.

HOSPICE SUPPORT
Ecumen Hospice is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and relies on donations to support our services and high-quality, end-of-life care. Contributions are fully tax-deductible.

How can I make a donation to Ecumen Hospice?

We accept credit card donations at ecumengiving.org/giving. We also accept cash or checks, employee matching gifts, gifts-in-kind, stock and estate or planned gifts. Cash and checks can be sent to: Ecumen Hospice, 3530 Lexington Ave. N, Shoreview, MN 55126.

What is the impact of a charitable donation to Ecumen Hospice?

Ecumen Hospice relies on donations to help support our operations and programs dedicated to care. Your fully tax deductible contributions to Ecumen Hospice go directly to provide quality and compassion to our end-of-life care and services.

Does Ecumen Hospice accept memorial donations?

Friends and family members often find comfort by making a donation in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one whose life has been touched by hospice. You may invite family and friends to make donations to Ecumen Hospice in memory of your loved one. Many families also choose to name Ecumen Hospice in obituaries or funeral notices as the preferred beneficiary of memorial gifts.

How can I honor an Ecumen Hospice employee?

Ecumen Hospice employees cannot accept personal gifts of any amount, including; cash, checks, gift cards, meals, event tickets; or other gifts. However, charitable donations to Ecumen Hospice may be made in honor of an Ecumen employee through our Empowering Heart Program. Click here for an Empowering Heart form and more information.

HOSPICE ELIGIBILITY
Determining whether to begin hospice care can be a complex and challenging decision. But the sooner hospice care begins, the sooner you will receive customized care that honors your goals for care and empowers you to make the most of every day.

When to turn to hospice care?

People may qualify for hospice care when:

• Health care goals turn from cure to comfort
• There is a diagnosis of life-limiting illness
• Your physician supports the decision to choose hospice

We can help you determine if hospice is right for you. Please contact us for more information, or schedule a personal in-home consultation. You can also click here to download eligibility guidelines.

How long can a person stay on hospice?

Hospice care is not just for one’s last few days or weeks—you can benefit from individualized comfort and care for as long as you meet hospice eligibility criteria under Medicare standards, which can mean longer than 6 months. The hospice care team, which includes the medical director, will continue to assess your eligibility. If your health improves, it is possible that you could graduate from hospice and be readmitted at a later time.

For more information on our hospice care, call 877-311-4997 or click here to contact us online.