Frequently Asked Questions

Transitions LifeCare provides care, resources, and support for people navigating serious illness, caregiving, hospice care, palliative care, pediatric serious illness, and grief. Their goal is to help patients and families live more fully, wherever they are in the journey.

You can start the referral process online through the Referrals page or call 919.828.0890. The referral form allows patients, family members, caregivers, and referring providers to request support.

Yes. For general questions, you can contact Transitions LifeCare or call 919.828.0890.

Hospice care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and symptom management rather than curative treatment. Transitions HospiceCare provides care and support for both patients and families wherever the patient calls home.

Hospice may be appropriate when someone is no longer seeking curative treatment and wants care focused on comfort and quality of life. Transitions LifeCare encourages families to begin conversations early so there is more time to understand needs and wishes.

No. Patients do not have to give up their own doctor. Transitions HospiceCare works in collaboration with the patient’s doctor, and if someone does not have a primary care doctor, Transitions LifeCare can provide one.

The hospice care team may include a doctor, nurse, spiritual care counselor, social worker, nurse aide, and trained volunteers who provide additional support.

Yes. Patients in nursing facilities or long-term care settings can receive specialized hospice visits. Hospice supplements the care already being provided by the facility through a coordinated plan of care.

Not always. In some cases, the hospice benefit may cover limited therapy sessions if they support quality of life and safety in the home.

There is no set limit to the number of days a person can receive hospice care, as long as they continue to clinically need hospice services.

If a patient no longer qualifies for the hospice benefit, they may be discharged. If the illness progresses later, they may return to Transitions HospiceCare with a physician’s order.

Hospice care, including medications related to the terminal illness and durable medical equipment, is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance companies and managed care providers. Transitions LifeCare also accepts patients regardless of ability to pay.

Palliative care is specialized support for people living with a serious or advanced illness. Transitions PalliativeCare helps with symptom management, goals of care, end-of-life planning, and access to community resources while working alongside the patient’s primary medical team.

Palliative care may be appropriate for someone diagnosed with an advanced illness, receiving curative treatment or therapies, wanting to stay as active and comfortable as possible, or needing added support while coping with illness.

Yes. Patients can continue seeing their providers, receiving treatment, and using other services while receiving Transitions PalliativeCare.

Palliative care can be provided at home, in assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes, and hospitals.

Transitions PalliativeCare services are covered by Medicare Part B, Medicaid, and most private insurance companies.

Palliative care can help manage symptoms related to chronic advanced illness, including shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, malignant pain, and more.

Hospice care is generally for patients who are terminally ill and focused on comfort care. Palliative care can begin earlier and supports people with chronic or life-limiting illness who may still be receiving treatment.

Transitions Kids provides community-based palliative care, hospice care, and bereavement support for children and families impacted by serious illness or loss. The program focuses on quality of life, emotional and spiritual support, family goals, and meaningful moments during difficult times.

No. A referral to Transitions Kids does not automatically mean a child is dying. The program offers a range of support for families throughout the serious illness journey.

Transitions Kids offers perinatal services for children with a potentially life-threatening diagnosis through age 18. In some cases, patients older than 18 may be served on a case-by-case basis.

Visit frequency depends on the family’s needs and level of care. Some families receive periodic check-in calls, some receive monthly visits, and children receiving hospice care may receive a higher level of support during the last six months of life.

Yes. Transitions Kids is designed to enhance, not replace, the care families are already receiving. The team can also help coordinate care among multiple specialists, hospitals, and specialty clinics.

Yes. Under palliative care, there are no treatment restrictions. Under hospice care, curative treatment and hospice care may be offered together for children through the Affordable Care Act’s Concurrent Care for Children Requirement.

Yes. A Transitions Kids nurse is available to patients by phone or video 24/7. Children receiving hospice services also have access to nurse visits 24/7.

Most Transitions Kids patients receive care at home. When a child is hospitalized, the team continues to support the patient and family, though they are not involved in direct medical care in the hospital. Hospice patients may also have the option of inpatient hospice care at the Hospice Home.

Transitions Kids offers direct care and support services in Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Orange, Nash, Wilson and Wake counties. Some palliative care and bereavement support may be available by telehealth outside the home-visit service area.

Yes. Transitions LifeCare offers caregiver support, services for family members, and grief counseling. Transitions CaregiverSupport helps families find resources and education throughout the caregiving journey.

Transitions GriefCare offers grief education, individual counseling, support groups, workshops, expressive arts events, mindfulness programs, and activities for children. Their staff helps people find the support that best fits their needs.

Yes. Transitions GriefCare staff typically call approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the death of a loved one. Families may also call sooner if they are interested in grief support before that time.

No. Grief support services are part of the hospice benefit and are free of charge. Voluntary donations to the Grief Care Fund are welcome.

Yes. Transitions GriefCare offers bereavement support options to members of the community, including education, expressive arts, mindfulness groups, workshops, resource assistance, and loss-specific support groups when capacity allows.

Yes. Short-term individual counseling is available for those whose loved one died while receiving Transitions HospiceCare or Transitions PalliativeCare services. Counseling may be offered by telehealth or in person.

Transitions GriefCare is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Counseling and visits are by appointment, and calls are typically returned within 24 business hours. Their services are not intended for emergencies. Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency should call or text 988.

Transitions GriefCare services are offered by self-referral because counseling is most effective when the person is ready to engage. The best way to help is to give your friend or loved one the Transitions GriefCare phone number and encourage them to call when they feel ready.

Donations help improve the lives of seriously ill neighbors and support programs such as Transitions GriefCare, the Hospice Home Patient Fund, and other services that benefit patients and families. Transitions LifeCare’s Tax ID number is 56-1228779.

Volunteer opportunities include family support, vigil volunteers, pet therapy, transportation, deliveries, meals, practical support, and other ways to comfort and assist patients and families.