HOSPICE CARE

Hospice care is palliative (comfort) care for those with an advanced, life-limiting illness. This specialized care is recommended when a terminal condition can no longer be improved or cured, and life expectancy is 6 months or less.

Hospice facts:

• A team of specially trained professionals delivers services to wherever

the patient calls home.

• The team provides compassionate support to the patient as well as

family caregivers.

• The primary goal of hospice care is to manage pain and symptoms so

the individual can live as comfortably as possible.

• Most hospice care is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid through the

hospice benefit.

• The Medicare Hospice Benefit pays for all medication, supplies, and

equipment related to the terminal diagnosis.

• Most hospice patients do not have any out-of-pocket expenses.

• There is no limit to the time a patient remains eligible for hospice care.

• Hospice provides 24/7 telephone support.

• Hospice patients are not giving up on life; they are choosing quality

of life.

• Hospice support continues for the family for 13 months after the

patient dies.

Quick advice:

• Speak and think openly as much as possible about what you want and

what you need.

• You can always ask for change, whether in equipment or personnel.

Local resource:

• The New Mexico Care Planning Council lists hospices by county and

includes other caregiver resources at: carenewmexico.org

Sources: National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Del Corazon Hospice and Ambercare in Santa Fe