FAQs
What is the difference between AIC and hospice?
AIC is a program for people who are living with an advanced stage serious illness, but who are not ready or interested in the hospice level of service. We help you understand your options, offer emotional support, and connect you with the resources you need. Hospice is a service for people who (have a life-limiting illness and) want to stay home and focus on quality of life instead of spending so much time and energy going back and forth to the hospital or doctor’s appointments. See our handout for a side by side comparison of AIC and hospice.
Does AIC work with home health?
Yes, you can have home health and AIC at the same time. Home health’s goal is to improve a person’s strength and functioning and/or manage wound care. AIC can help coordinate with home health care.
Is AIC a hospice program?
No, AIC is run through ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, and we do share resources, but it is not hospice.
I keep hearing about “palliative care.” What is it?
“To palliate” means to relieve or soothe. “Palliative care” is a medical approach that centers on how to provide comfort and relief rather than how to cure a given disease or symptom (this is called “curative” medicine). It is possible for people who are dealing with a serious illness to receive both kinds of care - a curative medical treatment centered on finding a cure plus palliative care – or one or the other.
One special feature of palliative care is that it looks to provide comfort and well-being for the person as a whole – relief of physical symptoms, emotional well-being, a good support system, and so on.
Do you offer in-home caregiving?
No, but your AIC care coordinator can provide a list of agencies and individuals that do offer in-home caregiving. We also have volunteers who can visit and spend time with a person, but they don’t do the same jobs as in-home caregivers.
If I have a medical problem, what do I do?
AIC patients and their caregivers are welcome to call us any time, day or night, with medical questions. We will do our best to provide answers over the phone or through a telehealth visit. If we determine together that the issue cannot be resolved, or is more urgent, we will refer you to your primary care physician or the Emergency Department.
My loved one was completely independent until she took a fall last week. Now she is being discharged from the hospital and needs 24/7 care. What do I do?
Discharge specialists at the hospital will help you arrange for your loved one’s immediate care. Our team is here to assist with
longer-term support. We can help you find community resources, complete advance directives, think about end-of-life planning, and identify other needs, both current and anticipated. We can also help you deal with the stress of this new situation.
If I participate in AIC, can I still seek medical treatment or go to the emergency room?
Yes. We do not restrict any medical treatment you may need. As a part of our community’s healthcare system, we are here to support you in your healthcare decisions and needs.
If I participate in AIC, does it mean I will have to go on Hospice?
No. Our AIC team will help you gather information and understand your options so you can make decisions that are the best fit for you and your loved ones as you navigate living with serious illness. At some point, the hospice level of care may provide more services which would be helpful, and we can talk about that when the time comes. You will always have the right to make the choices that are right for you and your loved ones. We will always respect your decisions and honor your wishes.
How much does it cost?
As a non-profit organization, we ensure that all those in our community who need our help receive it. Some of our services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance (normal co-pays may apply). We have sliding scales and can access our Good Neighbor Fund to help cover services. Regardless of your ability to pay, if you qualify for our services, we will care for you.
AIC is a program for people who are living with an advanced stage serious illness, but who are not ready or interested in the hospice level of service. We help you understand your options, offer emotional support, and connect you with the resources you need. Hospice is a service for people who (have a life-limiting illness and) want to stay home and focus on quality of life instead of spending so much time and energy going back and forth to the hospital or doctor’s appointments. See our handout for a side by side comparison of AIC and hospice.
Does AIC work with home health?
Yes, you can have home health and AIC at the same time. Home health’s goal is to improve a person’s strength and functioning and/or manage wound care. AIC can help coordinate with home health care.
Is AIC a hospice program?
No, AIC is run through ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, and we do share resources, but it is not hospice.
I keep hearing about “palliative care.” What is it?
“To palliate” means to relieve or soothe. “Palliative care” is a medical approach that centers on how to provide comfort and relief rather than how to cure a given disease or symptom (this is called “curative” medicine). It is possible for people who are dealing with a serious illness to receive both kinds of care - a curative medical treatment centered on finding a cure plus palliative care – or one or the other.
One special feature of palliative care is that it looks to provide comfort and well-being for the person as a whole – relief of physical symptoms, emotional well-being, a good support system, and so on.
Do you offer in-home caregiving?
No, but your AIC care coordinator can provide a list of agencies and individuals that do offer in-home caregiving. We also have volunteers who can visit and spend time with a person, but they don’t do the same jobs as in-home caregivers.
If I have a medical problem, what do I do?
AIC patients and their caregivers are welcome to call us any time, day or night, with medical questions. We will do our best to provide answers over the phone or through a telehealth visit. If we determine together that the issue cannot be resolved, or is more urgent, we will refer you to your primary care physician or the Emergency Department.
My loved one was completely independent until she took a fall last week. Now she is being discharged from the hospital and needs 24/7 care. What do I do?
Discharge specialists at the hospital will help you arrange for your loved one’s immediate care. Our team is here to assist with
longer-term support. We can help you find community resources, complete advance directives, think about end-of-life planning, and identify other needs, both current and anticipated. We can also help you deal with the stress of this new situation.
If I participate in AIC, can I still seek medical treatment or go to the emergency room?
Yes. We do not restrict any medical treatment you may need. As a part of our community’s healthcare system, we are here to support you in your healthcare decisions and needs.
If I participate in AIC, does it mean I will have to go on Hospice?
No. Our AIC team will help you gather information and understand your options so you can make decisions that are the best fit for you and your loved ones as you navigate living with serious illness. At some point, the hospice level of care may provide more services which would be helpful, and we can talk about that when the time comes. You will always have the right to make the choices that are right for you and your loved ones. We will always respect your decisions and honor your wishes.
How much does it cost?
As a non-profit organization, we ensure that all those in our community who need our help receive it. Some of our services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance (normal co-pays may apply). We have sliding scales and can access our Good Neighbor Fund to help cover services. Regardless of your ability to pay, if you qualify for our services, we will care for you.