Hospice is not a place, but rather a philosophy of care. It is a team of caring professionals dedicated to providing physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional comfort to patients and their loved ones.
To be eligible for hospice care, a patient must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Patients are able to stay on hospice services past six months if their physician and care team decide it is still the best option for their care.
Hospice is most commonly paid for through the Medicare hospice benefit. There is no co-pay or out-of-pocket cost for qualified Medicare beneficiaries. Medicaid and many private insurance companies also pay hospice benefits with minimal personal cost.
Hospice care is delivered wherever the patient calls home. This could be a traditional residence of the patient or a loved one, nursing home or other living facility, as well as a hospital.
MEDICAL DIRECTORS
Our medical directors work closely with the patient’s physician to develop a specialized plan of care to ensure the patient’s needs are met.
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
The attending physician is chosen by the patient and directs the hospice plan of care. They work closely with the medical director and hospice team to ensure the patient’s needs are met.
SKILLED NURSES
Our skilled nurses assess the needs of each patient and coordinate with other members of the hospice team to ensure the plan of care is carried out.
HOSPICE AIDES
Our aides are trained and certified to assist patients with activities of daily living in addition to providing comfort measures and emotional support.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK
Social workers assess the emotional, social and financial needs of the patient and family. They can also offer counseling and bereavement support.
THERAPISTS
Our physical and occupational therapists collaborate and assist with comfort needs related to decreasing functional ability and address the overall therapy needs as identified by the interdisciplinary team.
CHAPLAINS
Chaplains provide spiritual guidance and counseling to hospice patients and their loved ones in the comfort of home.
BEREAVEMENT SERVICES
Bereavement services include frequent communications with the patient’s family and loved ones as well as grief counseling and healing resources up to 13 months after the patient’s death.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers provide non-medical services and respite time to caregivers and family while also providing much-needed companionship to the patient and their loved ones.
With locations across the U.S., we make it easy to find home health or hospice care near you.
Fill out a care inquiry form to have someone contact you regarding home health or hospice care.