Education/Resources

It’s important to learn about hospice and what to expect from its services before it becomes necessary. Although discussing end-of-life care can be challenging, it’s best for family members to share their wishes in advance to reduce stress when the time for hospice arrives. By having these conversations early on, patients can make informed decisions with their own input, avoiding uncomfortable situations.

Hospice care is for patients who have been given a life-limiting diagnosis, but receiving hospice care doesn’t mean that death is imminent. Early receiving of hospice care provides more chances to stabilize your medical condition. Although some families and patients delay contacting hospice until the final days, it is available for several months. It can help focus on living well during that time rather than on dying.

Hospice care usually begins within one to two days after a referral. When a formal request or referral for hospice care has been requested, it is typically the starting point for the care process. A hospice team member will contact you within two business days of the referral request to arrange a visit. Urgent situations may begin sooner.

Hospice care is available 24/7. In most cases, hospices have nurses available to respond to calls for assistance when needed.

Hospice is completely covered by most insurance companies, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and VA benefits. Care includes medications, supplies, and medical equipment related to the hospice diagnosis, visits from nurses and other health care professionals, social services, certain therapies, and spiritual counseling.

Hospice patients can certainly visit the hospital to manage symptoms or offer respite for their family members.

Patients and families should understand that anyone can make a referral. Family, clergy, nurses, or others can refer a patient.

A common misconception about hospice is that you can’t continue seeing your primary care physician (PCP). However, patients can keep their current primary care doctor if they prefer. The hospice team collaborates closely with your primary doctor or chosen physician to develop your care plan. While hospice emphasizes symptom management rather than curative treatment, the choice to stop medications is usually up to the patient. Hospice care aims to maximize patient comfort, so some may opt to discontinue medications with severe side effects, like chemotherapy. Ultimately, these decisions are made by the patient and their loved ones.

Hospice is a service, not a place. Hospice care can be provided in any setting you call home. Typical settings are residential homes, skilled nursing facilities, Assisted Living Communities, Board and Care, Memory Care Units, and hospitals.

If your illness improves, and you no longer meet the criteria for hospice benefits, or you wish to seek curative treatment, you can be discharged for hospice services.

A DNR is recommended but not mandatory for hospice care. The aim of hospice is to offer comfort and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

It’s a common misconception that hospice care is only for people who are expected to pass away in days or weeks. As long as the patient qualifies for hospice care, Medicare, Medicaid, and other private and commercial insurance will continue to cover hospice services.

It is a common misconception that hospice treatment accelerates patients to end-of-life. However, research indicates that many patients who opt for hospice live longer than those who do not seek such care.