Hospice Care

Hospice care is specialized end-of-life comfort care focused on enhancing quality of life for individuals with terminal illnesses. The primary goal of hospice care is to provide relief, dignity, and support to individuals in their final days by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

​

Hospice care emphasizes pain and symptom management once curative treatment is no longer an option. This comprehensive approach involves a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, working collaboratively to offer personalized care.

 

Hospice is typically provided in the comfort of the patient's home, but it can also be offered in hospice facilities or long-term care settings. Services include pain and symptom management, 24-hour on-call service, in-person visits, medical equipment, related medications, inpatient care, continuous care in the home, respite care, volunteer services, spiritual care, bereavement, and counseling services.

 

Unlike palliative care, hospice is an entitlement benefit offered through Medicare. To qualify, patients must have a prognosis of six months or less and must agree to forego curative treatments related to their terminal illness. Certification for hospice involves a medical evaluation by two physicians confirming the patient's terminal condition.

 

By focusing on comfort, dignity, and support, hospice care aims to create a peaceful and meaningful experience for individuals and their families during a challenging time.