What is hospice care?
The word "hospice" literally means "a place of shelter." It is also the type of care provided to support a terminally ill patient at home. Care usually involves relieving symptoms and providing psychological and social support for the patient and family. The goal of hospice care is to provide the terminally ill patient peace, comfort, and dignity.
To qualify for hospice care, a patient usually has a life expectancy of less than six months.
Research has shown that hospice care at home helps a family as a whole. In addition to being in the comfort of the home, family members can also take an active role in providing supplemental, supportive care to the patient.
Although most patients receive hospice care at home, hospice care can also take place in other settings, including:
freestanding hospices
Independently owned hospices may sometimes include an inpatient care
facility, in addition to their home care hospice services. The inpatient
facilities offer patients hospice services when a primary caregiver is not
available at home, or the patient requires medical services not suitable
for a home setting.
What services does hospice care provide?
Hospice services are similar to home health care services, but may also include:
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