Understanding hospice

Hospice care is for people whose life expectancy is approximately six months or less if the illness runs its predictable course. Hospice care is meant to decrease, relieve and prevent suffering so patients may live as fully and comfortably as possible. A team of hospice professionals help patients and families approach the end of life with confidence, peace, comfort and dignity.

Hospice provides:

• Pain and symptom control

• Supervision of care at home or in a facility

• Spiritual care

• Coordinated family meetings

• Bereavement care for grieving loved ones after a loss

Things to Consider When Choosing a Hospice Program

• Ask for professional references, such as from local hospitals or

social workers.

• Discuss the admission procedures in detail so you understand all of the policies and conditions. Get as much documentation as possible so you can refer back to it later.

• Find out if the program will provide a plan of care for your loved one, and make sure you have contact information for everyone who will be involved in the care.

• Learn about the program’s services, and the training and education of

their staff.

• Ask whether the agency provides 24-hour telephone support.

• Be clear on what treatments the agency can provide and which ones

they will not.

• Get all information on costs, payment policies, and financial assistance, if appropriate. Medicare, Medicaid (usually), the Department of Veterans Affairs, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations pay for all or part of hospice care.

Resources:

Hospice Foundation of America: hospicefoundation.org National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: nhpco.org