3 questions and answers about hospice care

Hospice care is a specialized type of medical care for a person who is nearing the end of life. Hospice care is intended to help a person approach the end of life with dignity and to ease the distress that end-of-life care often places on caregivers and loved ones.

Below is an overview of hospice care, including the circumstances in which hospice care is typically considered, the benefits it can offer to a person who is approaching the end of life, and strategies that can be helpful when seeking hospice care.

When should a person consider hospice care?

Hospice care may be recommended when a person has a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less. Terminal illnesses can include advanced or end-stage cancers, heart failure, dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis.

A person may choose hospice when an illness cannot be cured or if they do not wish to undergo intensive treatments for a terminal illness.

Choosing hospice care does not mean that medical care stops. While the focus shifts toward comfort, symptom management, and supporting the best possible quality of life, a person receiving hospice care will typically continue with medications and therapies that ease pain and relieve symptoms.

Hospice care can also be stopped at any time if a person’s health improves or if they wish to pursue other forms of care.

Hospice care can offer several benefits, including:

• Access to therapies and medical equipment to manage pain, breathlessness, nausea, anxiety, wounds, and other symptoms
• Care that addresses emotional, social, and spiritual needs in addition to symptoms
• Support and education for family members and caregivers
• 24/7 access to members of the hospice care team for urgent questions or concerns
• Respite care that allows families and loved ones to take a break from caregiving responsibilities
• Bereavement counseling and grief support for loved ones

Where can hospice care take place?

Most hospice care takes place in a family residence, nursing home, or assisted living facility. Some people may temporarily require continuous home care or inpatient care to manage symptoms that cannot be controlled in the usual care setting.

A hospice care team can include:

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Home health aides
• Counselors and spiritual leaders
• Volunteers

How can you find hospice care?

If you are considering hospice care for yourself or a loved one, here are a few steps you can take to help you make the decision and find a hospice agency:

• Start by speaking with your or your loved one’s healthcare provider, who can help you determine if hospice care is appropriate and provide a referral to a hospice agency.
• If you’re receiving care at a hospital, a palliative care team, case manager, social worker, or nurse coordinator can help you determine and navigate next steps.
• Contact your insurance provider. Hospice is covered through Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Many employer or state marketplace insurance programs cover hospice. Hospice is also available through private payment.
• There are also organizations that offer financial assistance or charity care in circumstances where a person does not have insurance or the financial resources for private payment.
• Verify that a hospice agency you are considering has the necessary licensing and certifications.

When making decisions about hospice care, healthcare providers will be your best source of information. Physicians, nurses, and clinical social workers can help you navigate decisions, understand treatment needs, and ask the right questions when choosing how to approach hospice care.