Memphis Tennessee Hospice Care: How to pay for Hospice Care, Licensing and Regulations, and Questions to ask
Memphis is a city on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, famous for the influential strains of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll that originated there. The name Memphis means Established and Beautiful. Close to 20 percent of the earliest inductees (24 of the 97) in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame have come from within a 100-mile radius of Memphis. Memphis also has many attractions that have millions of visitors a year. Attractions like Graceland, Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, Sun and Stax Studios, and the famous BBQ
- Memphis Tennessee Hospice Care: How to pay for Hospice Care, Licensing and Regulations, and Questions to ask
- About Hospice in Memphis
- Considerations when looking for care in Memphis
- Cities Near Memphis
- Local Hospitals and Care Providers
- Signs it may be time to look into hospice care
- What is Palliative care and respite care and how are they different from hospice?
- How to pay for Hospice Care?
- Who Pays for Palliative Care?
- Questions about Hospice Care
- Resources and Links – Tennessee
- Search other areas for Hospice Care
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 Memphis
Tennessee hospice care is a concept of care, not a specific place of care. It 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 Memphis
The hottest month of the year in Memphis is July, with an average high of 91°F and low of 74°F. The coldest month of the year in Memphis is January, with an average low of 34°F and high of 50°F.
With 628,127 people who call Memphis home, you are bound to find the right home for you or your loved one. careavailability.com results show that there are over 30 centers that offer hospice care near Memphis.
Hospice Communities near Memphis, Tennessee
Baptist Trinity Homecare & Hospice
, Tennessee 38018
Unity Hospice Care
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
Spring Vallley Hospice Of Tupelo
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
Spring Valley Hospice
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
Specialty Hospice, Llc
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
Heart Of Heart Hospice, Llc
Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654
Compassus-memphis
Southaven, Mississippi 38671
Amedisys Hospice
Southaven, Mississippi 38671
Unity Hospice Care Of Arkansas, Llc
Marion, Arkansas 72364
Crossroads Hospice Of Tennessee, L.l.c.
Memphis, Tennessee 38134
Cities Near Memphis
- Oakland – 36 miles east of Memphis
- Millington – 16 miles north of Memphis
- West Memphis (AR) – 9 miles west of Memphis
- Horn Lake (MS) – 12 miles south of Memphis
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 about Hospice Care
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 Hospitals and Care Providers
Extended Care Hospital
890 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital
6019 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38120
Shorb Tower at Methodist University Hospital
1265 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Memphis VA Medical Center
1030 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Resources and Links – Tennessee
Greater Nashville Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging and Disability The GNRC serves as a single point of entry for older adults and adults with disabilities in need of home and community based supports and services.
Aging Commission of the Mid-South Area Agency on Aging and Disability SERVICES INCLUDE- Adult Daycare, Home Delivered Meals, Medical Equipment, Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), Medicaid Waiver Program, Personal Care, In- Home services, and Information & Referral (Home Modifications/Repairs, Legal Aid, State Health Insurance, Transportation).
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Programs include: Congregate and Delivered Meals, Homemaker Services, Options for Community Living, Caregiver Support Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application assistance. Whether you’re a senior, an adult with a disability or a caregiver, your first call should be to your Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The statewide, toll free number connects you to the local Aging and Disability Resource Center.
East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Regional not-for-profit agency providing information, advocacy, access and home support services to elders and persons with disabilities in the middle East Tennessee region. As a regional office, we administer funds to provide group and home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care services, legal services, ombudsman services, limited transportation services, information and assistance services, case management, Medicare insurance counseling services, health promotion services, senior centers, county offices on aging, and public guardianship services. These services are provided directly and through a number of service provider contracts in the region
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee The CAC Office on Aging is a public nonprofit agency. It has the major responsibility in Knoxville and Knox County of planning for services for senior citizens; assessing needs of older citizens and developing resources to meet those needs; coordinating services for the elderly to minimize duplication and avoid overlap–whether provided by public, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations; providing information about services and programs to older citizens and their families and connecting them to those services; and advocating on behalf of older citizens.
Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability The Commission is the designated state unit on aging mandated to provide services of the Older Americans Act and other discretionary grants.
Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services Division Adult Protective Services may assist an adult in any living arrangement including nursing homes, group homes, their own homes, homes of relatives or friends, etc.
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.
Search other areas for Hospice Care
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