Hospice Care

Topic Overview

What is hospice care?

Hospice is for people who are near the end of their life. It provides treatment to relieve symptoms. The goal is to keep you comfortable, not to try to cure your disease. Hospice care does not speed up or lengthen dying. It focuses on easing pain and other symptoms.

Hospice care also offers emotional help and spiritual support when you are dying. And it helps caregivers manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for someone who is dying.

Some people think that starting hospice is a last resort, that it means they're giving up on life. Some think that hospice means a lower level of medical care. But hospice is simply a type of care that focuses on the quality of your life instead of on continuing with treatment to prolong your life.

Why choose hospice care?

There are many reasons why you might choose hospice care. You might choose it if treatment for your disease has become more of a burden than a benefit. Or you might choose hospice if you want to focus on comfort rather than medical treatments.

What kind of services are provided?

Hospice care generally includes:

  • Basic medical care with a focus on pain and symptom control.
  • Access to a member of your hospice team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Medical supplies and equipment as needed.
  • Counseling and social support to help you and your family with psychological, emotional, and spiritual issues.
  • Guidance with the difficult, but normal, issues of life completion and closure.
  • A break (respite care) for caregivers, family, and others who take care of you.
  • Volunteer support. Volunteers may do things such as prepare meals or run errands.
  • Counseling and support for your family and friends to help them grieve.

Who is involved with hospice?

A team will manage your care. This team includes a doctor, nurses, a social worker, and trained volunteers. A family member or loved one may look after you much of the time. Other professionals may help, such as a dietitian, a counselor, a physical therapist, or a spiritual adviser.

Are you eligible for hospice services?

Usually, two things must be true for you to be eligible for hospice care:

  • Your illness can't be cured. This is called a terminal illness.
  • Your doctor expects that you'll live 6 months or less if your illness runs its normal course. You'll likely need a form signed by your primary doctor and the medical director or physician member of a hospice team.

You don't need to be confined to a bed or in a hospital to benefit from hospice.

It can be hard for doctors to know how long someone will live. Some people live longer than expected. If you do live longer than 6 months, you can keep having hospice care. If your illness gets better, you can stop getting hospice care. You may no longer qualify for it.

Hospice care is generally paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Care may also be available to those who can't pay.

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Information about Hospice Care

Current as of: March 1, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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