Health Topics for General Health

Hospice care

Hospice refers to a concept of compassionate care for people in the final phase of an incurable illness. The goal of hospice care is to help people live out their final days as painless and as comfortable as possible.

Hospice includes the patient and the family as the unit of care. The patient and the family are directly involved in making decisions. Whenever possible, the patient is encouraged to make decisions about treatment, relationships, personal business, and preferences about burial and memorial services. Grief counseling is also provided for the family.

Hospice can offer help and support at any time, day or night, 7 days a week. Usually, care is offered at home. In some towns, there are independent inpatient hospices with no ties to a hospital. Some hospitals and nursing homes have wings used for hospice care. If both your home and an inpatient facility are available, a patient may spend time in both places.

The team approach is essential to the hospice philosophy. A team of trained professionals such as healthcare providers, nurses, clergy, social workers, therapists, aids and volunteers, provides services. The team members address medical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.

It may take a referral from a provider to enroll a patient in hospice. The rules for enrollment can be different from one hospice to another. Some programs offer pre-hospice counseling to people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Many insurance plans now cover hospice services. Some not-for- profit hospices will even provide services for patients without insurance coverage.

Hospice facilities often encourage visitors, provide lounges for family, and may allow the family to bring in a pet to visit. They are much less restrictive than hospitals.

Hospice seeks neither to hasten nor postpone death. Hospice hopes to prepare the patient for a peaceful death at home or in a homelike setting.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File GHEA4573.rf2 VRS# 4573 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.