What is Hospice?
Hospice care provides a team of health care professionals to serve people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Most patients are cared for in their own homes. The hospice team supports the patient's primary caregiver - a family member or friend - offering a compassionate presence during this meaningful time.
Team members work together to meet the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families.
- Physicians oversee the team and even make house calls.
- Nurses visit the patient as often as needed and make arrangements for medications and medical equipment.
- Nurses' aides help the patient with bathing, personal care, grooming and comfort.
- Social workers address legal, financial and emotional issues.
- Chaplains, if requested, talk about spiritual concerns.
- Volunteers keep the patient company while family caregivers take a break or run errands, acting much like a friendly neighbor.
- Bereavement or grief counselors assist the family after the death with one-on-one counseling or support groups, if desired.
Hospice homes also are available for patients who need round-the-clock services or a place to go when their families need a short-term break from caregiving.
The cost of hospice care is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.
Because Hospice of the Valley is not-for-profit, no one is ever denied care because of inability to pay.