What is Hospice?

Hospice care is specialized care that provides physical comfort and emotional, social and spiritual support for people nearing the end of life. Your hospice team includes doctors, nurses, social workers and home health aides who provide care that centers on your comfort and dignity.

How Will We Know?

The first conversation about hospice care should occur with your physician, especially if any or all of the following conditions are apparent in your loved one’s health:

A continuous decline in health, even after undergoing treatment
Escalating or unmanageable pain
Regular hospital admissions or instances of falling
Repeated or frequent infections
Gradual or profound weakness and fatigue
Breathlessness, with or without the use of oxygen
The reduced capability to carry out everyday activities
Changes in mental state
Patients, family, or caregivers experiencing significant fatigue
The shared wish of the patient, family, and caregivers to discontinue aggressive medical interventions.

Why Hospice?

Opting for hospice care is a compassionate decision that centers on comfort and comprehensive support during advanced illness and end-of-life stages. Here’s why people choose hospice:

Quality of Life: Hospice shifts focus to enhance the quality of life, offering comfort and minimal discomfort.

Relief from Pain: Specialized care manages physical symptoms and addresses emotional needs.

Holistic Approach: Hospice covers medical, emotional, and spiritual well-being through an interdisciplinary team.

Personalized Dignity: Care respects individual preferences and choices, ensuring dignity.

Family Support: Hospice guides and assists families, easing the complexities of care and bereavement.

Closure and Connection: Families create meaningful memories and find closure together.

Home Comfort: Services can be given at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Values Alignment: Hospice embodies compassion, dignity, and personalized care.

What is the Cost of Hospice?

Hospice benefits are fully covered under Medicare Part A. At no time will a patient or family member ever pay out of pocket costs for hospice services.