Frequently Asked Questions
There can be a lot of unknowns when it comes to finding the best quality of care for your loved one in any phase of their lives.
Here are a few of our frequently asked questions about our hospice and palliative care services.
With Care of the Piedmont, you have a team of medical experts, licensed clinical social workers and a chaplain to guide you on your journey – wherever you are. Over 40 years of service to the Piedmont region, we’ve earned top ranks, landing in the top 10 percent of all hospice programs in the United States. But, more importantly, we’ve earned the trust of thousands of patients and their families as they navigate chronic illness and end-of-life care.
The work we do matters deeply. It’s our legacy as we work to honor and serve yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be a lot of unknowns when it comes to finding the best quality of care for your loved one in any phase of their lives. Here are a few of our frequently asked questions about our hospice and palliative care services.
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Yes. Care of the Piedmont patients may continue to see their current healthcare provider.
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Hospice Care
Hospice care actively enhances the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families through personalized support, including pain management and psychosocial care, either at home or in a hospice facility.
Palliative Care
Palliative care (supportive care) is specialized medical, nursing, social, and spiritual care that reduces the symptoms, pain, and stress of people living with a chronic or advanced illness.
These services are appropriate for patients of any age, at any stage of an illness and can be provided at the same time as curative treatment.
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All patients currently enrolled in Care of the Piedmont programs are eligible for admission based on need. Patients from area hospitals are eligible for care based upon meeting the program admission guidelines. Admission to Hospice House is made without regard to age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, diagnosis or ability to pay for service.
The Hospice House accepts terminally ill patients who require short-term care that:
Are in need of symptom management – such as medication adjustment and other palliative care procedures.
Require more skilled care than a loved one can provide, usually in response to a medical crisis.
Require short-term respite care in order to relieve the caregiver.
Have the need for teaching and assistance in order to transition from a hospital to home or nursing home.
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We accept patients who have a life-limiting illness, who are seeking treatment directed toward care and comfort. We serve those living in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Edgefield, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry or Saluda Counties.
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Five-Star Hospice House Ranking -Medicare.gov
Hospice Honors Elite status -Healthcare First
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
We Honor Veterans
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Medications and treatments needed to ensure a patient’s safety and comfort will continue under hospice services. These determinations are made by our team of highly specialized and qualified medical providers and in collaboration with the patient and their family/caregivers.
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Care is provided for all medically qualified patients and is covered by Medicaid, private insurance and donations. No one is turned away because of inability to pay for services. Care of the Piedmont, a 501(c)(3) organization, relies on the generosity of our supporters and various fundraising events throughout the year to ensure that all receive care regardless of their ability to pay.
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Yes. Oftentimes, hospice services are covered by Medicare.
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More than 90 percent of hospice care can be done from the comfort of a patient’s own home. We have on-call medical staff, licensed clinical social workers and chaplains who aid and assist patients in our areas of service (Greenwood, Laurens, Edgefield, Abbeville, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties).
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Our highly trained medical staff and licensed clinical social workers have the necessary credentials in their unique fields of study. Learn more about our staff here.
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Yes. Care of the Piedmont is the only non-profit hospice and palliative care service provider in the piedmont region. Which means that every dollar donated to our organization goes directly to supporting our patients, their family members and enriching the lives of those who are involved in our bereavement support programs.
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There are many ways to get involved with Care of the Piedmont. Whether serving in the Care of the Piedmont hospice house by answering the phone or making visits to patients, or sorting through donations at the Hospice Store, donating your time to our organization will not only enrich the lives of our community, but yours as well. Learn more.
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If you’d like to make a monetary donation to our organization, you can give online through our Care of the Piedmont Foundation. Learn more.
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For both Palliative Care and Hospice, practitioners have two referral options:
They can choose to fax us patient demographics and recent records. Alternatively, they can utilize the web referral system through Epic.
You may also fax referrals to 864.227.9377.
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Anyone can refer a Hospice patient to Care of the Piedmont. Simply fill out our referral form and a staff member will follow up with you shortly.
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Hospice patients should be referred to Care of the Piedmont as soon as possible after receiving a life-limiting disease diagnosis. This will allow patients and their family members to receive the most benefits from hospice services – from support to social services and counseling.
Palliative care referrals to Care of the Piedmont are recommended for individuals facing serious illnesses, at any stage of their illness, and can be initiated alongside curative treatments. It is not limited to end-of-life situations and can begin at the time of diagnosis.
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We believe every patient from any walk of life deserves dignity and the utmost quality of care at the end of their life. What’s more, we believe their loved ones deserve a team – a community – of supporters to surround them as they enter a season of challenges and grief. Tending this mission is so much more than a job, it’s a calling. And our team, our volunteers and medical staff alike, take their roles in this mission seriously and with deep empathy.
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Honoring the wishes of family members in hospice care involves open communication, active listening, and individualized care planning. By conducting regular meetings, respecting cultural and spiritual beliefs, and creating a comfortable environment, hospice providers can ensure that the care provided aligns with the family's preferences. Additionally, offering emotional support, involving families in decision-making, and facilitating advance care planning contribute to a compassionate and person-centered approach to hospice care.
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Care of the Piedmont is the only non-profit hospice organization in the area. Our program is nationally ranked, and is in the top 10 percent in the United States, earning a five-star rating by Medicare.gov. Care and compassion are at the heart of all we do – and it shows in our professionalism, excellence, and upkeep of our beautiful facilities.
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Anyone can refer a patient to Care of the Piedmont. Simply fill out this referral form and a staff member will follow up with you shortly.
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Community support enables Care of the Piedmont to continue to provide high-quality end-of-life care.
Referring a Loved One?
We’re honored you’re entrusting your loved one into our care. Please fill out your referral information through our secure portal. Once we receive your referral, a Care of the Piedmont team member will contact you within one business day. Thank you!
We’re Here to Help
If you have further questions about Care of the Piedmont, please complete the form below to send us a message. A member of our care team will respond to you shortly.