Many patients and families express the wish that they had become involved with hospice care sooner. Hospice can be of great help and comfort in the final weeks or even months of life, not only the last few days of life.
Many patients and families express the wish that they had become involved with hospice care sooner. Hospice can be of great help and comfort in the final weeks or even months of life, not only the last few days of life.
Hospice provides expert comfort (or palliative) care – which provides the patient with state-of-the-art pain control and symptom management. It enables patients to focus on living life as fully as possible, offering days free from pain. With hospice services, most patients have the option of remaining in the home with their loved ones. Should remaining at home not be the best option, we offer hospice services in area nursing homes and hospitals as necessary.
The decision to receive Hospice services can begin when a patient’s physician determines that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less. However, hospice care does not end after the initial six-month period, if it is still needed. Patients are constantly re-evaluated and care can extend as long as patients are being served appropriately under their hospice benefit.
Patients and families can initiate discussions about hospice care with their physician. Often physicians will welcome the opportunity to have a conversation about hospice, especially if the patient initiates it.
If hospice seems like an appropriate option, we encourage you to speak with your physician. We are also happy to schedule an in-home evaluation, at no cost, to help determine if it is time for hospice care.