What is Hospice?

Comforting Our Loved Ones

Hospice care is for people who are nearing the end of life. The services are provided by our team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a person reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families, hospice care also provides counseling, respite care and practical support. The goal is to support the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains.

Who can benefit from hospice care?

Hospice care is for a terminally ill person who's expected to have six months or less to live. But hospice care can be provided for as long as the person's doctor and hospice care team certify that the condition remains life-limiting.

Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, while others have heart disease, dementia, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Enrolling in hospice care early helps you live better and live longer. Hospice care decreases the burden on family, decreases the family's likelihood of having a complicated grief and prepares family members for their loved one's passing. Hospice also allows a patient to be cared for at a facility for a period of time, not because the patient needs it, but because the family caregiver needs a break. This is known as respite care.

Who's involved in hospice care?

Hospice care takes place wherever you are, staff will make regular visits to your home or other setting. Hospice staff is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A hospice care team typically includes:

Doctors: A primary care doctor and a hospice doctor or medical director will oversee care. Each patient gets to choose a primary doctor. This can be your prior doctor or a hospice doctor.

Nurses: Nurses will come to your or your relative's home or other setting to provide care. They are also responsible for coordination of the hospice care team.

Home health aides: Home health aides can provide extra support for routine care, such as dressing, bathing and eating.

Spiritual counselors: Chaplains, priests, lay ministers or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family.

Social workers: Social workers provide counseling and support. They can also provide referrals to other support systems.

Pharmacists: Pharmacists provide medication oversight and suggestions regarding the most effective ways to relieve symptoms.

Volunteers: Trained volunteers offer a variety of services, including providing company or respite for caregivers or other practical needs.

Bereavement counselors: Trained bereavement counselors offer support and guidance after the death of a loved one in hospice.

How is hospice care financed?

Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs and private insurance typically pay for hospice care. While each hospice program has its own policy regarding payment for care, services are often offered based on need rather than the ability to pay. Ask about payment options before choosing a hospice program