Not all hospices are the same.
And when it comes to the end-of-life care of a loved one, it is not a lesson you want to experience personally. Medicare governs hospices throughout the United States. And while hospices must adhere to the same basic guidelines, they are independent organizations and function independently. This means the care you receive at one hospice facility can vary dramatically from the care you receive at another. But more community-based non-profit hospices are being bought out by corporate, for-profit organizations. And while the patients each serve are the same, the missions can vary significantly.
You want the best for your loved one. Ensure they receive it.
We know that the need for hospice may be sudden. This urgency can limit a person’s ability to explore and research hospice options throughout Central Oregon thoroughly. The goal of hospice is not to hasten death but to allow a person to live the remainder of their life on their terms and be treated with dignity and respect. Death can be beautiful when a person’s quality of life is the primary focus.
One of the most significant differences in hospice organizations is the people. You have a choice in where your loved one goes for hospice care. Take the time to do your homework. Don’t accept a referral without first exploring if they are the best fit for your loved one. We have put together questions to ask when vetting hospice providers here.
Understanding the difference between non-profit and for-profit hospices
The most significant difference between a for-profit and a non-profit hospice is in the organization’s underlying mission. For-profit organizations are in business to make money for profit. This isn’t a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. It does, however, make the number of patients more of a priority. Non-Profit organizations invest profits back into patient care.
As a non-profit, we are a community-based organization. We have served the Central Oregon community since 1979. While our name has Redmond in it, we serve Central Oregon communities from Bend to Madras, west to Sisters, and east to Prineville. We are devoted to delivering care to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay. We are small by choice. One big difference between a corporate and community-based hospice is the family feeling shared between our team, patients, and their loved ones. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients. We are an organization that knows our patients and their loved ones by name. And we want you to know all of our names too.
At Hospice of Redmond, our focus is on people, not profits.
You can choose the best hospice care for you or your loved one. Take the time to understand your options and select the provider most aligned with your family’s needs. When delivered by the right organization, hospice can make the end-of-life a more peaceful and positive experience – despite the underlying grief accompanying death.
If you want to speak with us about hospice care in Central Oregon, call us at 541-548-7483. You can also send us a message via our website here.
