What to Expect

Before, During & After

Before

Before an individual can begin receiving hospice care, a referral must be made. Referrals are made by family, friends, clergy, physicians, and staff at health care facilities. Potential patients may also call Hospice themselves. When a referral is made, a Hospice representative will gather basic information from the individual by phone, and then offer a home visit by an intake representative to fully explain the hospice program. With their consent, Niagara Hospice will contact their physician to obtain medical information and to update their physician on the referral.

If a person is found to be appropriate for hospice care after an initial confidential consultation and assessment, a physician order is requested for admission into the program. If you think Hospice may be right for you or a loved one, simply call (716) 439-4417 and Hospice will do the rest.

During

During the hospice experience, the primary goals of the hospice team are to alleviate the patient's physical pain, provide symptom control and to support the patient's caregivers and primary physician.

After

The time following the death of a loved one can be very difficult and overwhelming. One very important service of Niagara Hospice that is unique from other health care providers is our bereavement care. Professional counselors are available to provide support for family members for up to 13 months after the death of their loved one. Individuals still in need of grief counseling following the 13 months may be referred to the Circle of Hope program.

"When we made that decision to call and sign up with Niagara Hospice,
my dad's life got so much better."

- Paul Mullane
Lockport, NY