What is Hospice?
Hospice is:
- Medical care to help someone with a terminal illness live as well as possible for as long as possible, increasing quality of life.
- An interdisciplinary team of professionals who address physical, psycho-social, and spiritual distress focused on both the dying person and their entire family.
- Care that addresses symptom management, coordination of care, communication and decision making, clarification of goals of care, and quality of life.
When is it time for hospice?
Deciding when it's time for hospice is difficult and should be discussed with loved ones and a physician. It is generally time for hospice when:
- The patient has 6 months or less to live, according to a physician.
- The patient is rapidly declining despite medical treatment (weight loss, mental status decline, inability perform activities of daily living).
- The patient is ready to live more comfortably and forego treatments aimed at prolonging life.
Learn More
To learn more about Hospice, and view interactive activities, visit the website of the Hospice Foundation of America
Hospice Information
How do I start?
How do I start?
How do I start?
Once the referral is made, hospice care can begin. The hospice team then contacts the patient and/or family to arrange a consultation meeting where various options for care are discussed. When the patient comes to an agreement with the hospice team about a plan of care, the proper consent forms and paperwork are created and signed. Normally, hospice care will begin within merely 24-48 hours of the referral being made. In dire situations, care can begin even sooner.
How do I pay?
How do I start?
How do I start?
About 85% of hospice care costs are covered by various government entities, including Medicare, Medicaid, and health care programs sponsored by the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD); and private medical and long-term care insurance.