The Shira Ruskay Center

From its inception, the Shira Ruskay Center has focused on providing information about and assistance with hospice care because we were particularly concerned that Jewish families often did not understand the services offered and were reluctant to make use of them. Shira Ruskay Center is not a hospice facility, but we have long-standing established relationships with hospices as well as other care organizations in the New York region and we can assist patients and families in making appropriate, informed decisions about care options that will best meet their individual needs and accord with thier own values.

Hospice care is a philosophy, an approach to caring for terminally ill patients, rather than a place. It provides aggressive comfort care when curative efforts are no longer effective.

A hospice team of physicians, nurses, social workers, rabbis, physical therapists, counselors and volunteers provide expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support for patients and families expressly tailored to the patient’s wishes. Hospices provide telephone access 24 hours a day to answer questions, discuss concerns, or assist in solving problems.

Hospice care may be provided at home, in a nursing home or in a homelike setting operated by a hospice program. The goals of hospice programs are to enhance the quality of life by keeping the patient as comfortable as possible; by relieving pain and other symptoms; as well as by supporting and reassuring both patient and family, thereby helping them to understand and cope. Inpatient care is provided for crisis care and brief respite.

In summary, hospice care neither hastens nor postpones death. Rather it affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It offers support to help the patient live as actively as possible until death.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hospice Care

Who is eligible for Hospice Care?: A patient diagnosed by a licensed physician as having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurers cover hospice care.
Can my own doctor continue to care for me if I become a hospice patient?: Yes, the patient’s doctor can continue to supervise care; however the hospice medical director can make home visits if needed.
Is hospice care covered by insurance?: Medicare and Medicaid cover hospice care. Other private or managed care insurance plans may also cover hospice care.
Should Jews use Hospice care?: Hospice care can be very helpful to Jewish families. Most hospice programs are very respectful of their patient’s religious needs.
Does Hospice care shorten patient’s lives?: Hospice care neither hastens nor postpones death. Rather, it affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Its goal is to offer support to help the patient live as actively as possible for as long as possible.
Is hospice care only for cancer patients?: Hospice care serves any terminally ill patient. In addition to cancer, frequent diagnoses include heart disease, AIDS, lung disease and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS.
Must my physician make the initial referral for hospice care?: The patient or family may make the decision to enter a hospice program and may contact the hospice provider. A physician, however, must certify that the patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has a limited life expectancy—generally 6 months or less. However since it is impossible to predict death, the physician need only certify that it is likely that life expectancy is 6 months or less. There are situations when a patient's life is prolonged because of the quality of hospice care.
Must the patient be bedridden to be eligible for hospice care?: Hospice care is appropriate at the time of the terminal prognosis, regardless of the patient’s physical condition. Many patients served by hospice continue to lead productive and rewarding lives.

©2011 The Shira Ruskay Center
135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor · New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-4608 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
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