The short answer
Hospice is care that gives comfort and support to people near the end of life and to their loved ones, when treatments are no longer controlling the cancer. It focuses on caring, not curing, and can be given at home or in a facility. It can provide support for months.
Hospice gives medical, emotional, and spiritual support when treatments no longer control the cancer.
Its focus is caring, not curing, and it aims to keep you comfortable and living each day fully.
Hospice most often takes place at home, but can also be in facilities, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Choosing hospice does not mean giving up hope; it means changing what you hope for.
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The full explanation.
What hospice care is
Hospice is a special type of care in which medical, psychological, and spiritual support are given to people with cancer and their loved ones when therapies are no longer controlling the disease. With hospice care, a team of health care professionals works with patients and families to provide the comfort and care they need closer to the end of life.
Hospice is a focus on caring, not curing. The goal is to help you live each day to the fullest by controlling pain and other symptoms and making you as comfortable as possible. It is not meant to hasten or postpone death.
Hospice is not the same as palliative care
Both hospice and palliative care provide comfort and support. The difference is timing and focus.
Palliative care is available throughout a person's experience with cancer, and treatment continues while it is given. With hospice care, the focus shifts to just relieving symptoms and providing support at the end of life.
Choosing hospice does not mean giving up hope
Choosing hospice care does not mean you have given up hope. Instead, it means you are changing what you hope for. This could be hoping for good quality of remaining life, including more time with loved ones and friends.
Even though many people believe hospice is only available in the last days or weeks of life, it can actually provide support for months. Many people have said they wished hospice care had begun earlier. They were surprised by the expert care and understanding they received.
Where hospice care happens
Hospice care most often takes place at home, but it can also be provided in special inpatient facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes. It can take place alongside professional home care if necessary.
Hospice services differ depending on where you live and the philosophy of the hospice itself, but they generally include:
- medical and nursing services
- medical supplies and equipment
- drugs for managing cancer-related symptoms and pain
- short-term inpatient care
- volunteers to give caregivers a break
- counseling and spiritual care
- social work services
- grief counseling and support
Who is on the hospice team
Hospice professionals and volunteers are specially trained. They are committed to supporting the emotional needs of both patients and families and are trained to deal with medical symptoms.
The team usually includes doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy or other counselors, and trained volunteers. It may also include speech, physical, and occupational therapists if needed. The team focuses on your goals for end-of-life care, building your care plan around your needs and wishes.
Qualifying for hospice and paying for it
Your doctor must certify that you are eligible for hospice care. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover hospice once both your attending doctor and the hospice medical director state that you have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. You would also sign a statement saying you are choosing hospice care.
Hospice care can continue if you live longer than 6 months, as long as your hospice doctor recertifies your condition. You always have the option to stop hospice care if you choose. Sometimes people change their mind, switch to another provider, or leave hospice if their condition improves or they resume cancer treatment.
Medicare and most Medicaid and private insurance plans pay for hospice services. The Medicare hotline (1-800-MEDICARE) can answer questions about hospice benefits and Medicare-certified programs. Local civic, charitable, or religious organizations may also help with hospice expenses.
Choosing a hospice
Once you decide to use hospice care, talk to organizations as soon as you can. Not all hospices provide the same services, and the medicines they cover will vary. It can help to talk with family and friends who have used hospice, and to ask your health care team who they would suggest. Organizations such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization can also help you find and compare providers.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is hospice care?
Hospice is a special type of care that gives medical, psychological, and spiritual support to people near the end of life and to their loved ones, when therapies are no longer controlling the disease. A team of professionals works with patients and families to provide comfort and care.
▸Is hospice the same as palliative care?
No. Both give comfort and support, but palliative care is available throughout a person's cancer experience while treatment continues. With hospice, the focus shifts to relieving symptoms and giving support at the end of life.
▸Where can hospice care be given?
Hospice most often takes place at home, but it can also be provided in special inpatient facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes. It can also take place alongside professional home care if needed.
▸Does choosing hospice mean giving up hope?
No. Choosing hospice does not mean you have given up hope. Instead, it means you are changing what you hope for, such as good quality of remaining life and more time with loved ones and friends.
▸Who qualifies for hospice, and who pays?
Your doctor must certify that you are eligible. Most plans, including Medicare, cover hospice once your doctor and the hospice medical director state you have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. You also sign a statement choosing hospice. Care can continue past 6 months if your doctor recertifies your condition.
▸How long can hospice care last?
Even though many people believe hospice is only for the last days or weeks of life, it can provide support for months. Many people have said they wished hospice care had begun earlier.
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