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What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is a program of palliative and supportive services provided both in the home and in inpatient settings for persons with weeks or months to live so that they may live as fully and as comfortably as possible.

Patient and Nurse

Hospice Care:              

  • Recognizes death as natural

    • Addresses symptom burden aggressively

    • Tends to spiritual/religious/existential needs of patients

    • Addresses needs of patients AND their families and caregivers

 

  • Enables patients to live to the fullest

    • Ensures care is consistent with the preferences & values of the patient

    • Allows patients to be surrounded by loved ones

    • Provides care almost anywhere - in home, at inpatient facilities or in hospitals

 

  • Who can receive hospice care?

    • A patient certified as being terminally ill by a physician and having a prognosis of 6 months or less if disease runs its normal course

    • Age is not a limiting factor - patients of all ages may receive hospice care

    • Family members can make a request for evaluation

    • Personal Physician can make a referral for hospice care

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