Hospice is medical care for people who are expected to live six months or less. It is provided primarily where a person lives — at home or in a nursing home or community living arrangement — so the patient can be near family, friends, pets, and valued possessions.
Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness that is approaching the end of life. It often includes emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their loved ones.
Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation (providing relief of pain) of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering.
Hospice treats the person and symptoms of cancer, rather than treating the cancer itself. It does not try to postpone death or make it happen more quickly. A team of health care professionals work together to manage symptoms, distress, and spiritual issues.
Hospice is specialized care you may receive when your prognosis is measured in months instead of years, and comfort is the primary goal. Hospice can help you prepare physically, emotionally and spiritually as you near the end of life.
Have terminal illness or know someone who does? Get hospice care coverage. Choose between in home, inpatient facility care. Learn more at Medicare.
Hospice supports a person's comfort and dignity as they near the end of their life. It is for people who are seriously ill and no longer receiving or continuing treatment to cure their illness. What is hospice care and what role does it play in end-of-life care?