Many families hesitate to ask about hospice because they are afraid. No one can ever truly know exactly when end of life will occur. Hospice’s number one goal is comfort care for the patient and family.
The Hospice team which includes intermittent nursing visits, home health care aide, social worker, spiritual counselor, and volunteers are provided wherever the patient resides. The patient may reside at home, assisted living, nursing home or an inpatient hospice facility. The family and patient always have the choice as to where care is to be provided.
The hospice diagnosis must meet Medicare and private health insurance guidelines where the patient is no longer seeking aggressive treatment and the patient’s health is declining due to a covered diagnosis (with a life expectancy of less than 6 months).
These dedicated professionals along with the primary care physician honor the wishes of the patient and family. For many it truly is a blessing.
