Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can initiate a hospice "referral inquiry." Following that call, we will help you access hospice service.
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An informational assessment visit is available at no cost to the patient or family. If a person with a life-limiting disease wishes to discontinue treatment and continue only comfort care measures, they may be ready for hospice care.
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Medicare, Medi-Cal and all commercial HMO insurance plans (in California) provide hospice care for people with a terminal illness whose physician believes hospice would best care for them. You may want to check your policy or contact your agent in regards to coverage of your personal policy. In most cases, there is no direct cost to patients or their families.
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If a person has no private insurance and does not qualify for Medicare, Medi-Cal or YCHIP services, Yolo Hospice will donate the care needed.
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Hospice provides comfort care to patients through:
• Regular nursing visits for pain and symptom management. Nurses also provide teaching and support to the caregiver. Twenty-four (24) hour emergency nursing visits are available, 7 days a week.
• Social workers assist patients and families with social, economic and psycho-social concerns and finding related resources in the community.
• A non-denominational chaplain/spiritual counselor is available to patients and their families who desire spiritual support.
• Experienced certified home health aides bathe patients, provide personal care and light housekeeping.
• Compassionate, trained volunteers offer companionship and practical support such as, errand running, medication delivery, etc.
• Specialized bereavement counselors provide support to patients and to their families.
• Durable medical equipment (hospital beds, wheel chairs, oxygen, etc), medications related to the terminal disease process, wound supplies, if related to terminal disease process, briefs and chuxs are paid for and provided by Yolo Hospice.
• Admission to a skilled nursing facility for respite care is available.
• Admission to a hospital for symptom management is available if we are not able to manage it at home.
• A 24hr. continuous care can be provided for an emergency.
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All cases are reviewed on an individual basis. Usually, if a patient is pursuing active treatment for their terminal illness in order to extend life, they are not eligible for hospice services.
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At any time, a patient may chose to resume active treatment or leave hospice care services. They can do so by signing a "revocation form" which returns their medical coverage to the previous pre-hospice state.
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Hospice cares for all patients with a life-limiting illness – no matter which illness.
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Hospice does not provide routine around-the-clock care. Hospice staff teaches the caregivers how to care for the patient.
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Yes. The patient can choose their attending physician while on hospice services
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As long as the patient continues to meet the medical criteria for their terminal diagnosis, they will be eligible for hospice services. Sometimes, patients stabilize and no longer are in need of hospice services. In that case, they are de-certified from hospice care. If this happens, they are able to return to hospice care if their condition starts to decline again.
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Pain is a complicated subjective symptom. Many issues can affect a person's experience of pain. For example spiritual or emotional pain, may lower a person's pain threshold. All pain is addressed, and most hospice patients live very comfortably with dignity and quality of life, during their time on hospice services.
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There are many ways families can come together to support each another. Talking about fears, being open and speaking your wishes helps family members provide the care a patient wants. Attending to necessary business matters, such as advance directives, wills, funeral services, and financial matters early can be very helpful.
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Yolo Hospice grief counselors and trained volunteers provide bereavement services following the death of a loved one. Individual counseling, family meetings, support groups, home visits and telephone contact are options. Services are available to all community members experiencing a loss. A specialized children’s’ program is also available.
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Yes, hospice work can be sad. However, staff and volunteers are frequently heard saying, "I get back much more than I give." Working with our patients is such an honor and privilege. It can also be joyful and extremely fulfilling to see the wonderful gifts that come to the patient and family through the dying experience.
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You can use our online service via PayPal for secure online donations. You may also send in a check or money order made out to Yolo Hospice. Please do not send cash through the mail. To donate cash, please come to our office at 1909 Galileo Court, Suite A, in Davis. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm. For other information, please call the Yolo Hospice office at (530) 758-5566.

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