Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice care is a specialized type of healthcare focused on providing comfort, pain relief, and emotional support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses. Rather than pursuing curative treatments, hospice emphasizes quality of life, dignity, and compassionate care for both patients and their families.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and stress of serious illness at any stage, and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Hospice care is a form of palliative care specifically for patients who have decided to stop curative treatment and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Both prioritize comfort and quality of life.

No. Hospice is a service, not a place. Spero Hospice brings care to wherever your loved one calls home — whether that is a private residence, assisted living community, or skilled nursing facility. Our goal is to provide comfort in familiar surroundings.

Spero Hospice serves five counties across central and northern New Jersey: Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Essex County, Union County, and Somerset County. Our office is located in East Brunswick, NJ.

You can refer a patient by calling us at (732) 955-6648 or by filling out the contact form on our website. Referrals can come from physicians, hospitals, family members, or patients themselves. We respond to all referrals promptly and can often begin an assessment within 24 hours.

Yes. Spero Hospice is accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner), a nationally recognized accrediting body for community-based healthcare organizations. This accreditation demonstrates our commitment to meeting the highest standards of quality care.

Hospice may be appropriate when a patient has a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less, when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, when frequent hospitalizations occur, or when the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life. Your physician can help determine if hospice is the right choice.

A patient is eligible for hospice care when a physician certifies that they have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course. The patient (or their representative) must also choose comfort-focused care over curative treatment.

Yes. Hospice care is voluntary, and a patient can revoke hospice at any time. If a patient's condition improves or they decide to pursue curative treatment, they can be discharged from hospice and return to regular medical care. They can also re-enroll in hospice later if needed.

While a physician's certification is required for Medicare hospice benefits, anyone can initiate the referral process — including family members, friends, or the patient themselves. Our team will coordinate with the patient's physician to obtain the necessary certification.

Spero Hospice provides comprehensive care including: hospice care coordination, pain and symptom management, respite care for family caregivers, continuous home care during crises, bereavement and grief support, spiritual care services, daily living assistance, psycho-social services, and home health aide support.

Yes. Spero Hospice provides around-the-clock support. Our on-call nurses and care team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address urgent needs, answer questions, and provide guidance.

Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers. Under Medicare, patients can receive up to five consecutive days of inpatient respite care in a Medicare-approved facility, giving family caregivers time to rest and recharge while their loved one continues to receive quality care.

Bereavement support includes grief counseling and emotional support for family members before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. Spero Hospice provides bereavement services for up to 13 months following a patient's passing, including individual counseling, support groups, and resource referrals.

During the initial visit, a Spero Hospice nurse will assess the patient's medical condition, discuss goals of care, explain available services, and begin developing a personalized care plan. We will also answer all your questions and address any concerns about the hospice process.

Yes. Medicare Part A covers hospice care, including physician services, nursing care, medical equipment, medical supplies, medications related to the hospice diagnosis, home health aide services, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work services, dietary counseling, grief and bereavement counseling, and short-term respite care.

Yes. New Jersey Medicaid covers hospice care services. Spero Hospice accepts Medicaid and will work with you to ensure your loved one receives the care they need regardless of financial concerns.

Most private health insurance plans include hospice benefits. Coverage details vary by plan. Our team will verify your insurance benefits and explain any costs before care begins so there are no surprises.