What Is Hospice?

Hospice is a philosophy of care. The hospice philosophy or viewpoint accepts death as the final stage of life. The goal of hospice is to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice affirms life and does not hasten or postpone death.

Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease; it focuses on quality rather than length of life. Hospice care is family-centered care -- it involves the patient and the family in making decisions. Care is provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospice care can be given in the patient's home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Most hospice care in the United States is given in the home, with a family member or members serving as the main hands-on caregiver.

One of the problems with hospice is that it is often not started soon enough. Sometimes the doctor, patient, or family member will resist hospice because he or she thinks it means you're giving up, or that there's no hope. This is not true. If you get better or the disease doesn�t progress, you can be taken out of the hospice program and go into active treatment. You can go back to hospice care at a later time, if needed. The hope that hospice brings is the hope of a quality life, making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or stop by your local office. You can also reach us by calling us toll-free at 1-888-376-5274.

Facts About Hospice

Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity.
Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.
Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.
Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.

Myth VS Reality

Myth

Hospice is where you go when there is "nothing else to be done."

Reality

Hospice is the "something more" that can be done for the patient and the family when the illness cannot be cured. It is a concept based on comfort-oriented care. Referral into hospice is a movement into another mode of therapy, which may be more appropriate for terminal care.

Myth

Families should be isolated from a dying patient.

Reality

Hospice staff believe that when family members (including children) experience the dying process in a caring environment, it helps counteract the fear of their own mortality and the mortality of their loved one.

Myth

Hospice care is more expensive.

Reality

Studies have shown hospice care to be no more costly. Frequently it is less expensive than conventional care during the last six months of life. Less high-cost technology is used, and family, friends, and volunteers provide 90% of the day-to-day patient care at home. Additionally, patients eligible for Medicare or Medicaid will pay few out of pocket expenses related to their hospice care. Most private insurers also cover some or most hospice related expenses.

Myth

You can't keep your own doctor if you enter hospice.

Reality

Hospice physicians work closely with your doctor of choice to determine a plan of care.

What Is Hospice?

More Helpful Links

Facts About Hospice

Myth VS Reality

Myth

Reality

Myth

Reality

Myth

Reality

Myth

Reality