Hospice Care Overview

What does East End Hospice do?

East End Hospice brings hope to the dying and their families and friends. By affirming life, hospice helps people conclude life with comfort and dignity, offering pain alleviation and symptom control in a familiar and caring environment. We are known for our compassion and for the quality of care we provide.

Our team of health care professionals and volunteers focus on caring and comfort, not cures. For people who are nearing the end of life and their families, East End Hospice is here, 365 days and nights a year. East End Hospice also provides counseling, respite care and other forms of support for families, friends and the community at large.

When do you need Hospice care?

Generally, Hospice cares for patients expected to live six months or less. Of course, each patient is different. Hospice care is provided for as long as the individual’s primary care physician and the hospice team certify that the condition is life-limiting.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR HOSPICE CARE?

When a cure is not an option, patients can choose hospice to shift the focus of their care to quality of life and symptom management. Hospice is a palliative care model specially designed for terminal illness. Diagnoses include cancer, heart failure, COPD, Parkinson’s ALS, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s and more.

WHO REFERS PATIENTS TO HOSPICE AND HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

Anyone can make a referral to East End Hospice by calling 631.288.8400. Once the referral is made, an intake coordinator gathers the necessary paperwork from the patient’s healthcare provider. A nurse or social worker will then schedule an admission visit in the patient’s home or make arrangements for the patient to be transferred and admitted to East End Hospice’s Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Westhampton Beach.

WHERE DO YOU PROVIDE CARE?

EEH provides home hospice care in the Towns of Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Southold, Riverhead and Eastern Brookhaven, including Eastport, Manorville, the Moriches, Mastics, Shirley, Brookhaven, Bellport, East Patchogue, Medford, Yaphank, Middle Island, Ridge, Shoreham and Wading River, as well as Fisher’s Island.

WHO PAYS FOR HOSPICE AND BEREAVEMENT SERVICES?

Hospice care is reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. EEH accepts all patients regardless of their insurance status and does not bill for copays, deductibles or other expenses. Bereavement services are offered free of charge.

CAN A HOSPICE PATIENT RECEIVE CURATIVE TREATMENT?

The goal of hospice is to keep people comfortable by managing pain and symptoms and offering emotional support. Should a patient wish to go to the hospital or pursue treatment, they can revoke hospice at any time.

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE

Hospice is life-affirming with a focus on quality of life.

Hospice does not hasten death. It prioritizes comfort and dignity for the dying.

Hospice care is multi-disciplinary and involves a team approach to provide an array of services for patients and families.

Hospice care is individualized to meet patients’ and caregivers’ needs.

EEH offers home hospice and bereavement services to people living on Eastern Long Island.

The EEH Kanas Center for Hospice Care provides inpatient services to any individual whose pain or symptoms cannot be managed at home, regardless of where they live.

EASt END HOSPICE STANDS OUT

The region’s only independent, nonprofit hospice provider for more than three decades

A New York State Top Ten Hospice Provider according to the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State (2021)

Awarded Hospice Honors by HEALTHCAREfirst (2016-present)

Caregiver satisfaction rating greater than 98.5%

Innovative programs, including We Honor Veterans and Equine Therapy

Great staff and volunteer recruitment and retention

Extraordinary community support

New York State Department of Health certified since 1991 and Joint Commission Accredited since 1997

Services:

Our nurse-coordinated team of health professionals and volunteers will design a plan of care that may include the following:

  • Skilled Nursing Visits by a Registered Professional Nurse
  • Hospice Aides
  • Trained Volunteers
  • Medical Social Work
  • Pastoral Care
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy
  • Medical Equipment and Supplies
  • Medication for Pain & Symptom Control
  • Short Term Hospital Care
  • Respite Care
  • Bereavement Counseling
  • Hospice Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility