Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice brings compassionate care and support to those diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. The hospice team is specially trained to provide patients and families with support and services through and beyond the end of life. With the emphasis on comfort, families can spend time simply being together. Hospice is not a place; it is care that can be provided where and when needed. Care is available in private homes, nursing facilities, or assisted living residences.

Hospice can be provided in many settings — a private home, nursing home, assisted living facility, or in a hospital. Many people choose to receive hospice care at home so their friends and family can visit as they wish. Other considerations may include one’s home environment vs. another setting, cost, and stability of the person’s condition. Choosing where to receive hospice care is a personal decision, but it may be helpful to talk with family members, your caregiver, or your doctor about the level of care you need and if it can be provided at home. The costs for receiving hospice care at different locations may differ.

Your team will devise a special plan just for you and your loved ones. They will focus on improving your pain and symptoms. They will check on you regularly, and a member of the team will be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A doctor -- either your own or one connected with a program -- will give medical care. Nurses will also check on you. Aides will assist with things such as bathing, dressing, cleaning, and cooking.

Other services that are available include:

• Chaplain and spiritual services for you and your loved ones

• Social work and counseling

• Medicine to ease pain

• Medical equipment and supplies

• Advice on eating

• Physical and speech therapy

• Counseling for your loved ones

While some may think hospice provides 24-hours a day, 7 days a week custodial care or full-time care at home or an outside facility, this is rarely the case. Although hospice provides a lot of support, most of the day-to-day care is provided by family and friends if you remain in your home. If you choose to receive services in another location, such as Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facility, Memory Care, or Group Home, care is provided 24/7 for those locations. However, a hospice care team member will visit you regularly and is always available by phone 24/7.

Among its major responsibilities, the interdisciplinary hospice team:

• Manages the patient’s pain and symptoms

• Assists the patient with the emotional and psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying

• Provides needed drugs, medical supplies, and equipment

• Coaches the family on how to care for the patient

• Delivers special services like physical therapy, speech therapy, and even music and art therapy

• Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time

• Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends

Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropriate, helps make decisions for the person with a life limiting illness. Members of the hospice staff make regular visits to assess the patient and provide additional care or other services. The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control. Support for family caregivers is also assessed throughout the care period. While the range of services provided will vary depending on each individual situation and the specific needs, hospice staff are available by phone 24 hours a day/7 days a week.