Hospice care is a type of specialized care that is provided to people who are in the final stages of a life-limiting illness. The goal of hospice care is to help manage pain and other symptoms, provide emotional support to patients and their families, and help patients live as comfortably as possible.

Hospice care is typically recommended for patients who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less. However, eligibility for hospice care can vary depending on the specific hospice program and the patient’s individual circumstances.

Hospice care provides a range of services, including pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, medication management, 24/7 nursing care, counseling for patients and families, and support with activities of daily living.

Hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings, including the patient’s home, a hospice facility, a hospital, or a nursing home.

Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Some hospice programs also offer financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

Yes, hospice care can be provided in the patient’s home. In fact, most hospice care is provided in the home setting, as many patients prefer to receive care in familiar surroundings.

Patients can receive hospice care for as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and their condition continues to decline. Some patients may receive hospice care for only a few days or weeks, while others may receive care for several months.

Yes, patients can continue to receive curative treatments while receiving hospice care. However, the focus of hospice care is on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than on curing the underlying illness.

Yes, family members are encouraged to be involved in hospice care. Hospice programs provide emotional and spiritual support to family members, as well as training and education on how to care for their loved one at home.

You can find a hospice program in your area by asking your healthcare provider for a referral or by contacting your local hospice organization. You can also search for hospice programs online or through national hospice organizations such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Anyone can request Hospice services with a physician’s order and verification that there is an illness with a life-limiting prognosis. Care is available for patients with a prognosis of six months or less, such as patients with Terminal Cancer, end-stage Heart Disease, ALS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Renal Failure, AIDS and Dementia.  Patients do not need to be homebound in order to receive Hospice Care.