DEFINITION OF HOSPICE

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization defines hospice as a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is extended to the patient’s loved ones, as well. At the center of hospice is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.

MYTHS ABOUT HOSPICE

Fiction: Hospice is a place where those facing end-of-life go to die.
Fact: Hospice is not a place, but a concept of care. Care is provided where the beneficiary lives, allowing families to be together when they need it most, sharing the final days in peace, comfort, and dignity.

Fiction: Hospice only serves persons diagnosed with cancer.
Fact: Although most patients admitted to hospice have conditions related to cancer, other diagnoses include Alzheimer's disease, ALS, heart, lung, kidney, renal, and liver diseases. read more...

 

                 Origins                             Components                   Medicare Benefits