Hospice care is a special kind of care that provides comfort, support, and dignity at the end of life. It’s the right choice when your doctor determines that you or your loved one have six months or less to live and have decided to forgo curative treatments. When you call a hospice organization, you are getting expert help during the end-of-life journey.
A comprehensive hospice program cares for the whole person and their family. Hospice focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of life with the help of a team of experts, including a board-certified physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, social worker, spiritual support counselor, certified home health aide, and volunteer. The care is provided in your home, nursing home, assisted living, or inpatient hospice facility.
Hospice offers four levels of care, as defined by Medicare, to meet the varying needs of patients and their families. The four levels of hospice include routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care, and Respite Care.