Hospice care is intended to provide spiritual, emotional, and practical support for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice is designed to improve the patient’s quality of life in his or her final stages of life. The majority of Hospice care is provided in-home but is also offered in a range of other settings, including a Hospice facility, a hospital, or nursing home.
What level of care is provided?
Hospice care is available 24/7 and includes a variety of different services, including respite care, and bereavement care as well as spiritual, emotional, and practical care. Respite care is intended to provide a caretaker or family with up to five days of relief, and bereavement care supports families through the grieving process.
What are the costs?
The cost of in-home Hospice care is less expensive than Nursing Homes and hospitals and is reflected in the amount of services needed.
What are the payment options?
Most Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance policies, and HMOs.