8 Important Things to Know About Hospice Care

Confronting the death of a parent, spouse, or friend is overwhelming. We may struggle with questions such as what will holidays be like without him? How will you go on without her?  You know you’re not ready to let go, but it’s important that your loved one is comfortable at the end — even if that means accepting outside help from others.  Hospice services may be the help that you need.

Why hospice?

1. Hospice services can be the help that is needed in your loved one’s final precious days so that you can both make the most of the time that is left. Hospice is a philosophy of care recognizing death as the final stage of life.
2. Professional hospice staff ensure that the patient’s wishes are being listened to and carried out. They also provide the physical, spiritual, and emotional support that you may not yet even know that you or your loved one might need.
3. Hospice is a comprehensive program of comfort, or palliative care, based on the belief that every day has meaning and providing freedom of pain, fear and uncertainty enhances the quality of life for those facing the end of life.

When should you consider hospice?

4. Hospice care may be an appropriate choice when a client can no longer benefit from curative treatments and has a limited life expectancy, as diagnosed by a physician.

5. Hospice service begins when the client, physician and family decide it is best.

6. If the client or family member’s situation changes, the client’s condition improves or the disease goes into remission the client can be discharged from hospice services, yet resume services at a later date if needed.

Do my loved one’s benefits cover hospice care?

7. The cost of hospice care is covered for a variety of ages. Most private insurance plans offer hospice coverage and follow the Medicare guidelines.

8. The benefit helps to cover services and care provided by the hospice team, medications and equipment related to the hospice diagnosis, and/or a variety of care levels, including routine, respite, general inpatient and continuous care (as appropriate).

If you are interested in hospice care, contact your loved one’s doctor, or your loved one’s facility’s social services department.  These professionals will help you get started down the road to hospice services that may be able to serve you in your life’s most difficult situation.