| Hospice Care
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice programs are available to help terminally ill individuals live their remaining days with dignity. These programs can assist the family (or other designated caregiver) in making the patient as comfortable as possible, and assistance is available around the clock, seven days a week.
Hospice is primarily a concept of care, not a specific place of care. Hospice care usually is provided in the patient's home. It can also be made available at a special hospice residence. Hospice is a combination of services designed to address not only the physical needs of patients, but also the psychosocial needs of patients, their loved ones.
Hospice combines pain control, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support. Seniors and their families participate fully in the health care provided. The hospice team develops a care plan to address each patient's individual needs. The hospice care team usually includes:
- The terminally ill patient and his or her family caregiver(s)
- Doctor
- Nurses
- Home health aides
- Clergy or other spiritual counselors (minister, priest, rabbi)
- Social workers
- Volunteers (trained to perform specific tasks)
- Occupational, physical, and/or speech therapists
When Is Hospice Care Appropriate?
As with many end-of-life decisions, the choice to enroll in a hospice care program is a deeply personal thing. It depends almost as much on the patient's philosophy of living and spiritual beliefs as it does on his or her physical condition and the concerns of family members.
How Can I Pay For Hospice Care?
Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid (in 43 states) cover hospice care for patients who meet eligibility criteria. Private insurance and veterans' benefits may also cover hospice care under certain conditions. In addition, some hospice programs offer health care services on a sliding fee scale basis for patients with limited income and resources.
You can get more information about hospice care and other care options by completing our quick three step process — to begin, simply fill out the form above. You will not be contacted without your consent and there is no obligation and no pressure.
Quick Facts On Hospice Care
- Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
- Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
- The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity.
- Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
- Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.
- Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.
- Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.
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