Hospice care is not something many people think of unless they are suddenly facing a possible end of life diagnosis. When faced with such a diagnosis, it can be an overwhelming decision as to which hospice agency to choose and it is important to understand all hospices are not the same. Fortunately there is a tool that patients and caregivers can use to help them understand the differences. Hospice Compare medicare.gov/care-compare/ is a Quality Rating system created by CMS to compare Hospice providers’ performances based on the quality of care they provide to their patients and families. 

The Family Caregiver Experience Survey, also called the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®), uses a 5-star rating scale to make it easier for consumers to compare hospices. More stars indicate better quality care.  The Family Caregiver Experience collects information from the families about communication with family; getting timely help; treating the patient with respect; emotional and spiritual support given; help for pain and symptoms and training given to the family to care for patient. They also ask the family to rate the hospice and if the family would be willing to recommend this hospice to others.

Hospice of Northeast Missouri, a service of Hannibal Regional, is rated 5 Stars by CMS and provides 5-Star care as one of the few non-profit hospices in northeast Missouri.

End-of-life care is provided by a team of professionals specially trained to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual, their caregivers, and families. Hospice of Northeast Missouri, a service of Hannibal Regional, serves Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan, and Shelby counties.

To learn more about the services that the caring team at Hospice of Northeast Missouri provides, please call 660-627-9711 or visit hospiceofnortheastmissouri.org.