Unconditional care for every family, honoring your needs and wishes.

A person is eligible for hospice if they have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a doctor. Eligibility may extend beyond six months if the condition continues to decline.

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, alongside curative treatments, whereas hospice care is specifically for patients who are no longer seeking curative treatments and have a limited life expectancy.

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

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover hospice services. Some nonprofit hospices also provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

Hospice care includes pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, medication, medical equipment, respite care for families, and bereavement support for loved ones.

Yes, hospice care can be discontinued if a patient’s condition improves or if they decide to pursue curative treatments again.

Hospice offers training and education on caregiving, respite care to give caregivers breaks, emotional support, and bereavement services after the patient passes away.

Hospice is available as long as the patient meets eligibility criteria. If a patient lives beyond six months, they can continue receiving hospice care with a doctor’s recertification.

If a patient’s condition stabilizes, they may be discharged from hospice care but can return later if their condition declines again.

No, hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than aggressive medical treatments that may no longer be effective

Hospice staff are available 24/7 for support and emergencies, but continuous care at home depends on the patient’s needs. Some hospice programs offer continuous nursing care for short-term crises.

Signs include frequent hospitalizations, significant weight loss, declining ability to perform daily activities, increased pain or discomfort, and a doctor’s prognosis of six months or less.

Hospice care is often misunderstood, with common misconceptions including the belief that it is only for the dying, that choosing it means giving up on treatment, or that it is only for cancer patients. In reality, hospice can enhance quality of life for those with terminal illnesses, can be initiated earlier in the disease process, and is available for various conditions. It can be provided in multiple settings, including homes, and is often covered by insurance, making it more affordable. Additionally, hospice care includes medical support focused on comfort and pain management, and families receive extensive assistance from hospice teams, dispelling the notion that they must manage everything alone. Understanding these misconceptions is crucial for making informed decisions about hospice care.