Adding the Jewish Component to Hospice Care
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is the mission of the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network (JHCN)?
- Why was JHCN created?
- Who created JHCN?
- Is JHCN a Hospice?
- Who is eligible for JHCN services?
- Must a patient be religious or affiliated to be eligible for JHCN services?
- Does JHCN only serve hospice patients?
- Where does JHCN provide services?
- What services does JHCN offer to individuals and families?
- Does JHCN charge for services?
- How is JHCN funded and does it receive insurance reimbursement?
- What geographic area does JHCN serve?
- What services does JHCN offer to community professionals?
- When should someone call JHCN?
- Who can make referrals to JHCN?
- Who comprises the staff of JHCN?
- What special training do JHCN rabbis receive?
- Who are JHCN's partners?
Q. What Is the mission of the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network (JHCN)?
Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network (JHCN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that "No Jew Is Ever Alone" when facing terminal illness or in need of end-of-life care. JHCN provides a comprehensive range of health, family support, social services and practical resources from the Jewish community to Jewish patients, immediate and extended family, and caregivers.
Q. Why was JHCN created?
JHCN was created to address a gap in services for Jewish patients and families in need of end-of-life care. JHCN developed a special group of services and community resources known as "the Jewish component of care" which is available to patients, families, hospices, health care organizations, social service agencies and synagogues.
Q. Who created JHCN?
JHCN was founded in June 1999 by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan Board of Rabbis, and Jewish Family Service, with initial grant support from The Jewish Fund.
Q. Is JHCN a Hospice?
No, JHCN is a network, not a hospice. JHCN provides the Jewish component of care and works closely with all hospices and other healthcare partners who provide the medical care.
Q. Who is eligible for JHCN services?
Anyone facing serious or terminal illness who identifies as a Jew is eligible for services. Any individual can call JHCN for information, education, and access to community resources, referral, or direct assistance for their client or friend.
Q. Must a patient be religious or affiliated to be eligible for JHCN services?
JHCN provides services to all who consider themselves Jewish, regardless of the level of affiliation or observance. This includes individuals who although not Jewish, are members of Jewish families.
Q. Does JHCN only serve hospice patients?
No. JHCN works with all terminally ill patients. This includes patients and families who are still pursuing curative treatment and those who are at the end of life, but may elect not to use a hospice program. JHCN provides services from the time of referral throughout the treatment process. One of JHCN's core values is its commitment to flexibility and continuity of care.
Q. Where does JHCN provide services?
JHCN provides services wherever the patient is - at the patient's home, hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home and inpatient hospice unit.
Q. What services does JHCN offer to individuals and families?
- Pastoral Care
- Quick access to the diverse resources in the Jewish community
- Hospice referral and information
- Social work and case management
- Patient and family advocacy
- Jewish volunteers, trained in end-of- life care, to provide family support
- Access to practical services such as transportation, care aides, help with child care, money management, respite care and foreign translation
- A warm and friendly Jewish presence
- Crisis intervention
- Guidance with medical and ethical decisions
- Spiritual support and guidance with prayer and religious ritual
- Companionship
Q. Does JHCN charge for services?
No. There is no charge for JHCN services.
Q. How is JHCN funded and does it receive insurance reimbursement?
JHCN does not receive government or insurance reimbursement. Philanthropic grants and generous voluntary contributions from the Jewish and general community are JHCN's primary sources of funding.
Q. What geographic area does JHCN serve?
JHCN provides services anywhere in southeastern Michigan. JHCN also provides consultation to patients, families, hospices, and agencies throughout the United States and in Israel.
Q. What services does JHCN offer to community professionals?
JHCN provides information, referral, community education and in-service training on Jewish pastoral care values and the Jewish perspective on end-of-life care. This includes Jewish views on hospice and palliative care, medical ethics, medical decisions and the full range of religious rituals and customs. JHCN makes it significantly easier for health and social service professionals to provide sensitive and quality service to their Jewish patients and families.
Q. When should someone call JHCN?
- When any hospice enrolls a patient who identifies as a Jew
- When a patient has an irreversible medical condition and limited life expectancy
- When patients and loved ones feel conflicted about decisions
- When information about community resources is needed
- When an organization's staff can benefit from general information, in-service education or ongoing training
- When a knowledgeable Jewish person or volunteer can provide a Jewish presence that brings additional comfort to a patient or family
- When an individual or service provider is seeking access to services from the Jewish community
Q. Who can make referrals to JHCN?
- Anyone who provides services to Jewish clients
- Anyone who wants to help a Jewish individual or family who is coping with terminal illness
- Hospice programs, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day care programs, and older adult retirement communities
- Rabbis, synagogues and non-Jewish clergy
- Physicians, nurses, discharge planners, social workers, teachers, nursing home administrators, and direct care staff
Q. Who comprises the staff of JHCN?
- A team of hospice trained male and female rabbis from all denominations of Judaism
- A masters level social worker with years of experience in healthcare and hospice work
- A patient services coordinator with years of experience in healthcare and hospice work
- Fifty Jewish volunteers, trained in end-of-life care who work with professional staff to provide family support
- An Executive Director, Development Director and administrative staff
Q. What special training do JHCN rabbis receive?
- JHCN rabbis are all ordained by a recognized seminary.
- JHCN has an extensive Clinical Pastoral Education Program which trains JHCN rabbis in hospice care and the special clinical skills needed to effectively work with individuals and families facing end-of-life.
- JHCN rabbis are trained in compliance issues, documentation requirements and HIPPA regulations.
- Rabbinical staff are trained and accredited as chaplains. They also serve as contingent staff to many of the hospices, hospitals and nursing homes in southeastern Michigan.
- JHCN provides education to congregational and community rabbis in hospice care and family intervention skills so that they can be more effective with members of their own congregations.
Q. Who are JHCN's partners?
JHCN partners include hospice providers, area hospitals, health and social service agencies, assisted living centers, nursing homes, older adult communities, area synagogues and funeral homes in southeastern Michigan. [Detailed listings of our Healthcare Partners] [Detailed listings of our local resources]