What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care focuses on providing care, comfort and support to people with life threatening illnesses. The goal of the care is to help people with end life illnesses have peace, comfort and dignity. Care can be provided in a variety of settings including:

• The patient or caregivers home
• At a hospice center
• In a hospital
• In a skilled nursing facility

What does hospice provide?

• Physician services for the medical direction of the patient’s care
• Regular home visits by nurses
• Medical supplies, such as catheters and bandages
• Medical equipment, such as hospital beds and wheelchairs
• Delivery of medications, medical supplies and equipment
• Medications for pain relief and symptom management
• Home health aide services for personal care, such as dressing and bathing
• Social work services
• Spiritual care
• Grief counseling
• Volunteer support to provide companionship to the patient and help for family members
• Short-term inpatient and respite care
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language services