Physical Care and Symptom Management
Downloadable Brochures
Lifebeat - Cardiac Palliative Care
Breath - Respiratory Palliative Care
Living with Dementia - Dementia Palliative Care
“We would like to thank you for all the help and TLC our “Dad/ Husband received. It’s been hard but we are so thankful that Dad was able to spend his last days at home. There are many special people at hospice and we’d like to thank you all. The nurses who came to visit are a great asset to hospice- they are so loving and caring and helped the whole family more than they realized. Thank you”
Southern Tier Hospice
Patient Family Member
Admission Process
Admission into a hospice program is a matter of choice. Individuals and families considering hospice care often have many questions. Here are answers to a few, but please call us at 607-962-3100 or 800-734-1570 if you wish to speak to a hospice professional.
Who qualifies for our services?
Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care provides care to Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler county residents whose prognosis is approximately six months or less, if the disease runs its normal course, regardless of the diagnosis. If curative treatment is no longer effective or you desire palliative comfort measures, hospice and palliative care may be appropriate for you. Using hospice services is not a one-way street. If further treatments become available after you are receiving our services, you may cancel your hospice benefit and continue with your treatment as you and your physician see appropriate.
Who can make a referral?
Anyone can call the Hospice office at 607-962-3100 or 1-800-734-1570 to obtain information. To make a referral for hospice care, you or a family member only need to call us. We will ask your permission to contact your primary physician to verify that Hospice is appropriate for you and to request medical information regarding your treatment plan.
What happens once a referral is made?
Once a referral has been made, an appointment will be set up to visit you at your convenience to discuss services offered by STHPC. If you want hospice care and your doctor confirms its appropriateness, services can begin the same day. If you wish to take time to consider the information presented, another visit can be arranged.
When should I call Hospice?
If you have been diagnosed with a potentially life-limiting illness, it’s time to find out about hospice services so that you can have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your care. It is never too early to get this information. Receiving this information does not make you obligated in any way to elect our services. You can ask your physician about hospice care or call us directly at 607-962-3100 or 1-800-734-1570.
Early hospice referral enables the hospice team to provide support to patients and primary care givers at the earliest point our guidelines will permit. Our goal is to have you “know” us and see how we work so that we can be there for you and your loved ones as changes occur. We call it “Advanced Illness Planning” (click to go to our advanced illness flyer), and it’s there for you.
What about payment?
Most health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, have hospice coverage. No one is denied care due to inability to pay. Care for patients without insurance or with limited insurance is paid for privately and can be based on a sliding fee scale. STHPC also raises funds to help off-set costs of the underinsured.
