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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on the Hospice Team? Who is responsible for care?

Hospice patients receive care from Snowline’s Interdisciplinary Team, meaning members from different disciplines or fields.

If Hospice is for dying, does choosing Hospice mean giving up my loved one??

No.  When treatment options for a disease have been exhausted or no longer work, hospice provides a way for people to live in comfort, peace, and dignity without curative treatment.

Can you receive home health and hospice at the same time?

Medicare patients can receive both if they’ve met the home health criteria.

What are the Benefits of Snowline Spiritual Care visits?

A Snowline Spiritual Care visit reminds you and your care team that you are a whole person and that your entire being – physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological – is worthy of being healthy and well.
Focusing on spiritual health may not cure an illness but may help you and your family feel better, prevent illness and increase your ability to cope. Snowline Spiritual Care visits can help you express emotions, reframe your perspective and leave you feeling inspired to try new coping skills.

How does Snowline Spiritual Care differ from my faith community?

Snowline Spiritual Care providers are trained to assist and care for people of many faith traditions. They do not replace lay or ordained ministers of a person’s faith tradition but are available to coordinate and complement spiritual care that is provided by one’s own faith community if that is the desire. Snowline Spiritual Care providers can lend a non-judgmental ear no matter the choice or circumstances. The spiritual care providers also directly communicate the patient’s concerns with the Snowline interdisciplinary team.

How often would I see a Snowline Spiritual Care provider?

Snowline recommends a relationship with a spiritual care provider to deal with any spiritual or existential needs or concerns. Typically, visits occur two times per month. The frequency of visits is up to the patients, their families, and caregivers. Of course, the patient may decline to have visits, or stop them at any time.

Is Snowline Spiritual Care Christian?

Snowline cares for people of all faiths, including those who do not subscribe to any particular religion or faith system. Snowline’s care is holistic, meaning it encompasses each individual’s medical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being. Snowline Spiritual Care policy includes spiritual awareness and support for patients, their caregivers, the Snowline staff, and volunteers.

What can I expect from a Snowline Spiritual Care visit?

During an initial visit, the Snowline Spiritual Care provider will gather information for a spiritual assessment. Based on that initial visit, a spiritual care plan will be developed within the patient’s overall care plan. The spiritual plan will guide the interventions for succeeding visits. The interventions will be what the patient and/or family desire from the visits. See Snowline Spiritual Care Contributes to Quality of Life.

Why is Snowline Spiritual Care part of Snowline's treatment plan?

Snowline Spiritual Care is an essential element of the interdisciplinary care plan. As people approach life’s end, they often reflect on their lives and try to sort out its meaning and purpose. This spiritual reflection can aid a person’s overall well-being. Snowline was founded on the belief that, even when a cure is no longer possible, there is still an opportunity for quality of life, comfort, dignity, and hope. Snowline Spiritual Care can offer those opportunities.

Can the Snowline Spiritual Care provider contact my clergy?

Snowline Spiritual Care providers want to partner with the clergy of our patients. Contact with the clergy can be initiated by the patient or family or the Snowline Spiritual Care provider. Snowline Spiritual Care providers will not contact a clergy person without the patient’s permission or power of attorney.

Do Snowline Spiritual Care providers lead and/or assist with funeral services?

Yes. Snowline Spiritual Care providers can provide funeral or memorial services sensitive to the patient’s and family’s beliefs and wishes.

What is the Snowline Spiritual Care provider called?

One’s spirituality is based on whatever gives personal meaning. The Snowline Spiritual Care provider helps and supports people hoping to find or strengthen those things that provide meaning. Snowline Spiritual Care providers are typically referred to by their first names. A more formal address certainly may be used if that is more comfortable.

Are Snowline Spiritual Care providers the same as clergy or pastors?

Not exactly. The clergy are trained in pastoral care but are not necessarily trained to meet the spiritual needs of other faith traditions. Snowline Spiritual Care providers are trained to talk to people of many faith backgrounds and those with no faith community connection. Snowline Spiritual Care providers have post-graduate professional degrees at accredited seminaries. Our per diem chaplains have at least a graduate degree.

Will Snowline Spiritual Care providers pressure me to be a part of a church or community of faith?

No. Snowline Spiritual Care providers provide spiritual care for your present situation and will not try to connect you with a place of worship unless you request that we do so.

Should I put off a spiritual visit until the time is close?

While that is certainly an option, a Snowline Spiritual Care provider will be better able to meet a patient’s spiritual needs if they know the patient beforehand. This is done through regular visits. Also, regular visits can address some issues before they reach a crisis stage.