Compassionate Care When It Matters Most

Hospice is for people with serious illnesses, but it isn't just for the very end of life. Early enrollment in hospice allows for a better quality of life, better symptom control, and more time for patients and families to focus on their emotional and spiritual needs.

Hospice provides a different hope, empowering patients and families to make choices, enjoy quality time together, and ensure care aligns with personal values and wishes.

Hospice can be provided at home, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and other settings. It's a philosophy of care intended to bring comfort and support wherever the patient feels the most comfortable.

Hospice doesn't accelerate the dying process. It aims to make patients as comfortable and pain-free as possible, while respecting their choices and wishes.

Essential medications for symptom management and comfort continue in hospice care. The focus shifts from curative measures to improving the patient's quality of life.

Hospice is often fully covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Hospice compliments family care by offering specialized support, knowledge and education. It eases the caregiving burden and enhances patient comfort.

Hospice isn't confined to a strict timeline. It extends beyond six months if a physician certifies the need, ensuring care aligns with individual circumstances.

Most physicians have had little hospice training and are uncomfortable initiating the conversation. Anyone can make the first call to hospice, including a patient, family or friend. It's important for you to take control of your healthcare decisions and to seek options when the time is right for you.

It's the patient's right, or their designated decision-maker's, to choose when and where to receive hospice care, and from which provider. Physicians, hospital discharge planners, assisted living facilities, and social workers don't determine your hospice provider. Others may recommend hospice providers for you to consider, but it is up to you to decide whom you want caring for you.

You can discontinue hospice services, switch providers or resume aggressive treatment at any time for any reason. Re-enrollment in hospice is also possible if you meet the criteria.

Studies show that enrolling in hospice care increases family satisfaction, improves symptom and pain management, and reduces unnecessary tests or medications. Studies also show that patients who enroll in hospice care earlier in the course of their terminal illness live longer than those who enter hospice later. Early enrollment allows for increased quality of life, better symptom management, enhanced emotional well-being, and comprehensive spiritual care, which collectively may contribute to extended survival times.

If a doctor believes someone with a serious illness has 6 months or less to live, they are usually eligible for hospice care. For Medicare to pay for it, treatments meant to cure the illness must be stopped.

No. In fact, most people on hospice don't have cancer. Hospice is designed to enhance the quality of life for those with Dementia, Alzheimer's, Cardiovascular Disease, COPD, HIV/AIDS, Neurological Diseases (Stroke, Parkinson's, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.), Renal Disease, Liver Disease and many other life-limiting diseases.

Hospice care is provided by an entire team. Each patient has a Registered Nurse Case Manager. You can decide if you would also like a Hospice Aide to provide personal care, a Chaplain/Spiritual Care Counselor to talk to, a Social Worker to assist with arranging practical matters, or a Volunteer to keep the patient company.

Hospice does not provide treatments designed to shorten or lengthen life. Hospice strives to improve the quality of life. Research shows that with the extra care from hospice, patients who enroll earlier actually live longer than those with similar illnesses who don't receive hospice care.

Hospice can be provided in different places — home, assisted living facility, nursing home, hospital. Many prefer being in the comfort of their home. Factors like home environment, costs, and the person's condition impact the decision.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explicitly state that beneficiaries have the right to select their healthcare providers, which includes hospice services. While medical practitioners can offer valuable insights and recommendations, the choice rests with the patient or their designated decision-maker. This allows individuals to choose a hospice provider that best aligns with their medical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Hospice is a benefit covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most Private Insurance. Hospice pays for medications, medical equipment and supplies that are related to the hospice diagnosis.

Hospice usually treats pain aggressively. We know that pain interferes with eating, sleeping, visiting and quality of life. Uncontrolled pain can also shorten life. The patient and family are always in control of their care and can decide how they want to treat pain.

Hospice nurses and other team members provide care during their visits, and they will teach you what you need to know to provide care at home.