Hospice & Palliative Care

Hospice and palliative is designed to focus on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. It is support that is centered on your needs so you can focus on having the best quality of life possible.

Patients often say quality of life is more important than how long they will live. At some point, it may not be possible to cure a serious illness, or a patient may choose not to undergo certain treatments.

Comfort care does not mean you’re giving up. An important first step is having clear and honest conversations about the kind of care you want. Talk to your family, your doctor and others you trust about your care today.

Signs It May Be Time For Comfort Care

Frequent hospitalizations or trips to the ER
Frequent or recurring infections
Less desire to eat, leading to significant weight loss and changes in body composition
Rapid decline in health over past six months, even with aggressive medical treatments
Uncontrolled pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting
Decreasing alertness, withdrawal, increased sleeping or mental confusion
Inability to perform tasks of daily living, such as eating, walking, using the bathroom, personal cleaning or getting dressed
Decision to focus on quality of life, instead of aggressive treatments.

How We Help

• 24/7 on-call medical director and nurses available to meet patient needs in the comfort of their homes

• Medical equipment and supplies

• Symptom management

• Spiritual support with a chaplain

• Assistance with daily living activities like bathing from a hospice aide, which allows family members to focus on quality time with their loved one

• Emotional support and community resources from a social worker

• Help with household tasks from hospice volunteers

• Bereavement counseling to help loved ones process grief.

Types of Care

Hospice care is tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs. There are three main levels of care, and patients may move between them depending on their condition and support required.

Routine Care
The most common level of hospice, routine care takes place wherever the patient calls home — whether in a private residence, assisted living, or nursing facility. Nurses, aides, and the care team provide scheduled visits and ongoing support.

Respite Care
Short-term inpatient stays (up to five days) are available to give family caregivers a much-needed rest. During respite care, patients receive the same compassionate support in a licensed facility while families recharge.

Continuous Care
When a patient experiences a medical crisis or severe symptoms that cannot be managed with routine care, continuous care provides round-the-clock nursing support in the home until the situation stabilizes.

Through these levels of care, hospice ensures that patients and families receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

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