Hospice in St Petersburg, FL

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St Petersburg Florida Hospice Care: How to pay for Hospice Care, Licensing and Regulations, and Questions to ask

St. Petersburg is a city on Florida’s gulf coast, part of the Tampa Bay area. It’s known for its pleasant weather (hence its “Sunshine City” nickname), making it popular for golfing, boating, fishing and beach going. Its waterfront parks host the Dali Museum, featuring surrealist works of art; the Museum of Fine Arts, with works ranging from ancient to contemporary; and Mahaffey Theater, home of the Florida Orchestra. St Petersburg hosts a theater complex, arts center, and dozens of art galleries. Locals enjoy book stores and downtown cultural venues and museums.

Signs it may be time to look into hospice care

  • Your loved one has made multiple trips to the emergency room. 
  • The condition continues to progress, affecting quality of life. 
  • The individual has been admitted to the hospital several times in the last year with the same or worsening symptoms. 
  • Does loved one wish to remain at home, rather than spend more time in the hospital. 
  • Your loved one has decided to stop receiving treatment.

What is Palliative care and respite care and how are they different from hospice?

Let’s discuss what makes them different:

Palliative Care

Palliative care refers to any care that alleviates symptoms, whether there is hope of a cure by other means or not. Both palliative care and hospice care are intended to provide comfort for the individual and family. This care focuses on easing pain and discomfort to help people have the highest possible quality of life. It is appropriate at any stage of life, not just end of life. 

Respite care

Taking care of a loved one who is terminally ill can be exhausting and emotionally draining for family members, and especially if family members are the caregivers. Respite care provides relief for those looking after the terminally ill individual. They may be checked into temporary hospice and provide a much needed break for family caregivers.

Hospice 

Hospice care is an option for people who have a life expectancy of six months or less. In place of ongoing curative measures, hospice involves palliative care (pain and symptom relief), enabling the individual to live their final days with purpose, grace, dignity, and support from family and staff. The purpose is for the individual to spend their final days in a comfortable, familiar environment, with their loved ones enabling them to focus their attention with help of staff. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities offer hospice care on-site – however, it is most often provided in the person’s home. 

About Hospice in St Petersburg

Florida hospice care is a concept of care, not a specific place of care. The state of Florida is home to a large population of aging adults. Seniors come to Florida for the year round sunny skies and laid back lifestyle. All residents of Florida have access to hospice. As people age, care is often required at some point. Hospice care in Florida is for those who have been living with a terminal illness or only recently received a serious diagnosis of six months or less life expectancy. This specific type of care is there to ease the burden of 24-hour care. It provides a respectful, comfortable care setting for your loved one’s final months and weeks or days. It is an option to consider and can be especially helpful for families, or those seniors without family to provide end-of-life care.

Considerations When Looking for Care in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida with a population of 258,308. This makes it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area. The warm climate and natural beauty attract year-round visitors and residents from a variety of cultures. These features and more have led to St. Petersburg becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire.

Cities Near St. Petersburg

  • Dunedin – 24 miles north
  • Clearwater – 22 miles east
  • Belleair – 20 miles north
  • Rattlesnake – 21 miles east

How to pay for Hospice Care?

Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid (in 43 states) covers hospice care for patients who meet eligibility criteria.

Private insurance and veterans’ benefits may also cover hospice care under certain conditions. In addition, some hospice programs offer healthcare services on a sliding fee scale basis for patients with limited income and resources. To get help with your Medicare questions call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. Additional information about how to pay for hospice care can be found at the Public Policy Institute of the AARP.

Who Pays for Palliative Care?

Medicare, Medicaid, many insurers, and healthcare plans will cover the medical portions—physician and nurse services—of palliative care.

Veterans may be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Check with your doctor and healthcare plan to see what insurance will cover in your particular situation. Unlike the comprehensive hospice benefit, there is no comprehensive palliative care benefit.

Questions and inquiries

Is Hospice only for those who have cancer? 

No. It is for anyone with a terminal illness who has been given a prognosis by their doctor of six months or less.  

Do only elderly people use these services.  

It is for all age groups during the final stages of their life. The intention is to allow people to enjoy the closeness of family and a comfortable environment in the last stages of their life.  

Do people on hospice die immediately? 

This care does not hasten death. Though, studies have shown people often live longer than those with the same or similar illnesses who do not choose hospice. 

Are all hospices the same? 

The United States offers thousands of hospices. Most engage in Medicare, which requires certain services for the person in care. So, there is a standard operating procedure.  

How can I afford Hospice care? Is it expensive. 

Hospice care is covered by Medicare Part A, and your personal insurance. 

Is Hospice is only provided in the individual’s home? 

NO, Care is provided wherever the person is, which could be a long-term care facility or a hospital. Being take care of at home is always an option. 

Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers 

HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital

6500 38th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

St. Anthony’s Hospital

1200 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg

701 6th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

HCA Florida Northside Hospital

6000 49th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709

Florida Department of Elder Affairs Administers human service and long term care programs for Florida’s elders age 60 and older and their caregivers. Services include Home Care Program, Nutrition Programs, Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Nutritional Counseling, Family Caregiver Support Program, Adult Family Care, Personal Care Management Program, Money Management Program Financial Assistance, Congregate and Supportive Housing, Nursing Home Ombudsman Program, transportation, home repairs and employment.

Department of Children and Families Florida Abuse Hotline The Florida Abuse Hotline serves as the central reporting center for allegations of abuse, neglect, and or exploitation for all children and vulnerable adults in Florida. Confidential reports.

American Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations is a Care Giver Program, Case Management, Home Health Services, Adult Protective Services, Emergency Response Systems, Employment Services, Financial Services, Legal Assistance, Home Repair, Home Modification, Information and Referral/Assistance, Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Personal Care, Sr. Center Programs

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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