FAQs

Hospice is not a place, but a special way of caring for those facing a life-threatening illness with a limited prognosis.

The focus of hospice is the comfort and quality of life; the goal of hospice is to provide compassionate care for the patient and family, not to cure the life-limiting illness. Preventing people from dying alone, in isolation, or in fear remains a cornerstone of the hospice philosophy.

Hospice care is available for all age groups – including children, adults and the elderly – during the final stages of life, and is available in a home setting, a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, and in local hospitals.

• Routine Hospice Care – Hospice care provided in the patient’s home or place of residence, including skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
• General Inpatient Hospice – Hospice care provided in a hospital. This is a short-term benefit used when a patient’s symptoms cannot be managed in any other setting.
• Continuous Care – Time-limited benefit offered during a crisis. An LPN or RN remains with the patient for 24 hours to provide continuous monitoring, assessment, and medication administration to achieve comfort and relieve crisis. It must be approved by the Hospice Patient Care Coordinator and Medical Director.
• Respite Care – When patients are transported from their home to a Medicare approved facility for up to 5 days to allow the primary caregiver respite (rest) from the daily stress of caring for a loved one.

For over 35 years, Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care has epitomized the best in hospice care. We offer a very personalized approach to hospice care with unparalleled professional services in a home setting, a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, or in a local hospital.

Jansen is not about giving up, but rather about choosing how to live with a serious illness. Choosing Jansen Hospice means that you are not alone in this process.

Our hospice staff recognizes and respects that we are guests in the lives and homes of our patients at a very difficult and vulnerable time. An essential part of our mission is also helping family members, and we work closely with both the patient and their family to ensure that decisions and choices about their care are carried out in accordance with their wishes.

Jansen serves people living in Westchester County or The Bronx who are faced with an advanced illness with a limited prognosis.

Hospice is for patients with a life-limiting illnesses, and a diagnosis of six months or less to live. Hospice is not just for cancer patients; it is end of life care for patients with any terminal illness like heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, strokes, Alzheimer, Parkinson disease, and more.

If you are not sure if you or your loved one is eligible, please call us – we can help you.

Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care provides services to patients in a home setting, a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, or in a local New York Presbyterian contracted hospital.

Our team members include:

1. A medical doctor certified in Hospice and Palliative Care who works with the patient’s primary care doctor to manage symptoms.
2. Registered Nurses (RN) experienced in coordinating plans of care, pain and symptom management, and more.
3. Certified Home Health Aides (HHA) trained in
   end-of-life care who assist with personal care
   needs.
4. A Certified Chaplain who provides spiritual care for patients and families.
5. On-Call Services with registered nurses who assist with questions, concerns and provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
6. Medical Social workers who help make sure a patient’s end-of-life wishes are met, and provide emotional support to the patient and family.

When either you or your loved one is facing the challenges of a life-threatening illness with a limited prognosis, call Jansen. The sooner you call, the greater the benefit to the patient and their family. Each Jansen patient and family becomes the focus of the hospice team who work together to meet the patient’s unique needs by developing an individualized, comprehensive plan of care.

Everyone receiving hospice care has access to a customized, dedicated care team. Below is a list of key services and personnel that may become part of the care plan:

1. Hospice Medical Director certified in Hospice and Palliative Care who works with the patient’s primary care doctor to manage Hospice-related symptoms.
2. Registered Nurses who are knowledgeable and experienced in coordinating Hospice care. The nurse will develop a customized plan of care based on the patient’s diagnosis and needs. They coordinate care with the physicians, oversee Home Health Aides, and collaborate with the social worker and chaplain. Nursing visits may be 1-2 times a week, as needed, to provide guidance, teaching, symptom management instructions, and emotional support.
3. Certified Home Health Aides experienced in end-of-life care. Home Health Aides are supervised by Hospice nurses. They help provide physical care for patients who require assistance with daily activities. All Home Health Aide schedules are customized based on the needs of the patient, the family, and availability.
4. Social Workers help manage stresses, ensure patient wishes are met, and provide emotional support to the patients and their families.
5. The Jansen Chaplain offers spiritual care and support religious traditions for patients and their families.
6. Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteers are trained to visit and provide respite to patients and their families.
7. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Nutritionists are available, as needed, to help maintain functioning and comfort levels.
8. On-Call Service where registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with questions, concerns, provide support and make home visits, when needed.
9. Bereavement Services to counsel and follow the family for up to 13 months after the death of a loved one.
10. Complimentary Therapy is a special program unique to Jansen that offers massage therapy, music therapy, pet therapy and other services to support compassionate care end of life goals.

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Since its inception, Jansen has provided exceptional hospice care to everyone in need of it, regardless of financial resources.

If you do not have insurance and would like further information, please call us.

Anyone can make the first contact to access the services of Jansen – physicians, prospective patients, family members, friends, clergy. Just call 914-787-6158 and Jansen can help you.

Yes. Most patients have two medical doctors. One doctor is the hospice doctor and the other doctor is their personal doctor. A personal doctor refers patients to hospice when they have a life expectancy of 6 months or less to live, and works with the hospice doctor to ensure all needs are met.

Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care is one of three agencies that comprise Lawrence Community Health Services (LCHS).

In addition to Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care, LCHS includes the Bereavement Center of Westchester (BCW) and Lawrence Home Care of Westchester (LHCW), and operates in affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital and the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System.

Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care provides services to patients and families throughout Westchester County and northern Bronx. The main office is located in Scarsdale, NY.

Palliative Care involves comprehensive medical care for the patient and their family living with a serious illness – at any stage and regardless of prognosis. Palliative Care improves the quality of life by focusing on prevention and relief of suffering through the detailed treatment of pain and other problems – physical, emotional and spiritual. Palliative Care can be provided at the same time as treatment that is meant to cure.

While Palliative Care and Hospice Care have similar philosophies and provide similar services, they have one very distinct difference.

Palliative Care is given throughout the course of an illness along with curative or life-prolonging care, regardless of prognosis or life expectancy.

Hospice Care, on the other hand, is appropriate when life expectancy is thought to be less than six months, and the focus of care is on symptom control rather than active treatment of the underlying disease.

Palliative Care is not a substitute for Hospice Care. If you are not sure which type of service is appropriate, please give us a call – we can help.