Patient and Family Frequently Asked Questions
The numbers of patients we serve on a daily basis continues to grow and we greatly appreciate how much this demonstrates the confidence physicians and their patients have in us. We understand you may have many questions and we’re here to help guide you to the best care for you and your loved ones.
Learn more about Covenant Care by downloading our Patient and Family Handbook.
Hospice Questions
Covenant Care’s hospice services are available to individuals who, in the opinion of a physician, have a life-limiting illness, and have made a decision with their physician to seek comfort care, rather than curative care. Eligibility also includes agreeing to the care plan established by Covenant Care, the patient and physician, as well as residence within our service areas in Alabama and Florida.
No, at Covenant Care we employ staff physicians who have advanced training in pain management. The Covenant Care physician serves as an extension to the patient’s own physician, never a substitute. Our physicians can make house calls to patients wherever they live, making it more convenient for the patient and helping to avoid emergency room visits.
Hospice care is not just for cancer patients; in fact, cancer patients make up only a small percentage of the patients we serve. We care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, lung disease, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, AIDS, liver disease, what we commonly call ‘failure to thrive,’ as well as any other life-limiting illnesses.
Covenant Care works with more than 200 facilities to provide high quality hospice care to individuals residing in alternative settings, such as hospitals, nursing facilities and other residential care settings. We care for patients in any area that they choose to call “home.”
Hospice is not a place. Hospice is a philosophy of care. We strive to enable patients to remain in their own homes, or the place they consider home, such as a retirement community or assisted living facility, whenever possible. For more than 30 years, Covenant Care has been dedicated to providing a very special kind of caring to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones. We are committed to our mission of allowing our patients to live as fully and comfortably as possible. We help to add life to days, when days can no longer be added to life.
Depending on the needs of the patient, the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) will visit the patient in their residence. The team, which is made up of nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, volunteers and our medical director, will determine what level of care is needed to make the patient and family as comfortable as possible. Physical, spiritual and psychosocial needs all will be met by our specially trained staff and volunteers.
Covenant Care is JCAHO accredited, as part of our commitment to quality care for our patients and families. Covenant encourages the active involvement of patients and families in the patient’s care. We define and teach patients and their families how to report concerns about patient care and safety, and we encourage them to do so.
To report any patient care or safety concerns that we have not addressed, you may contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring at 1.800.994.6610 or by email to complaint@jcaho.org. We do ask that we are given the opportunity to resolve a concern, in the ways identified above.
Why should I choose Covenant Care?
You have the right to select your healthcare provider, and when you choose Covenant Care, you will find the peace of mind that comes with a quality decision.