Hospice care is a specialized type of care focused on providing comfort, compassion, and support for individuals with a life-limiting illness. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for both the patient and their family, rather than to cure the illness.
Hospice supports individuals with a life-limiting illness, typically when life expectancy is six months or less. Common conditions include cancer, heart disease, COPD, dementia, and neurological disorders.
Yes, hospice is specifically designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and for whom curative treatment is no longer an option or desired. A physician typically certifies that the patient's life expectancy is six months or less.
No, hospice is not about giving up. It represents a shift in focus from curing an illness to maximizing the quality of life. It's a choice to live one's final months with dignity, comfort, and comprehensive support.
The cost of hospice care is typically covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. This coverage often includes the care team, medications, medical equipment, and supplies related to the terminal diagnosis.
Services include nursing care, physician services, pain and symptom management, medical supplies, emotional and spiritual counseling, social work services, and bereavement support for the family.
Hospice care is provided wherever the patient calls home. This most often is their private residence, but can also be an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or a dedicated inpatient hospice facility.
Yes. If a patient's condition improves or stabilizes, they can be discharged from hospice care. They are free to re-enroll in the future if their health declines again.
No, hospice is for any individual with a life-limiting illness, not just cancer. This includes patients with end-stage heart, lung, or kidney disease, dementia, ALS, and other terminal conditions.
Hospice care is holistic and addresses the full spectrum of a person's needs. The care team includes chaplains, counselors, and social workers to provide spiritual and emotional support to both patients and their families.
The process begins with a referral, which can be made by a physician, a family member, or the patient themselves. A hospice provider will then conduct an evaluation to confirm eligibility and discuss a plan of care.
Yes, most hospice providers offer respite care. This service allows the patient to be temporarily admitted to a facility to give their primary caregiver a needed break. Respite care is typically covered for up to five consecutive days.
Hospice services include 24/7 on-call support. A nurse is always available by phone to provide guidance or to make an emergency visit to manage a patient's symptoms at any time.
A patient has the right to stop hospice care at any time for any reason. If they decide to pursue curative treatment, they can revoke their hospice benefit, and their conventional medical coverage can be reinstated.
The first step to care begins with you.
Know someone in need of care? Or want to be part of a team that delivers it?
