Hospice is a unique philosophy of health care for patients with a life-limiting illness. The focus of hospice care is on enhancing the quality of a patient’s life while assisting with the needs of their caregiving family.

For patients no longer seeking curative treatment, hospice focuses on pain management and symptom control with the goal of keeping the patient comfortable as the illness progresses. Unlike other models of care, hospice addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and provides support to the family.

Hospice enhances the end of life by providing compassionate care that allows patients to maintain a sense of dignity, living their final days to the fullest, in peace and without pain, in a loving environment. Among the core concepts of hospice is acceptance of death as a natural part of the life cycle. Hospice intends to relieve symptoms when possible neither hastening death nor prolonging life but allowing the disease to take its natural course. Potentially life-prolonging intervention can be provided to our patients based on the patient’s wishes and as part of a comprehensive care plan.

Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, physicians, social workers, therapists, home health aides, spiritual counselors and volunteers all guided by a belief in the principles of hospice and palliative (comfort oriented) care. The hospice team works closely with the patient and family, seeking the active involvement of patients in making their own decisions regarding care and treatment while supporting the family in providing care for the patient at home. Hospice staff are available around the clock, seven days a week.

Hospice services can be provided to the patient at home or in a nursing home or assisted living facility. If pain or symptoms cannot be managed at home, or if caregivers need a respite, the patient may be admitted to an inpatient facility.

In addition to enhancing the patient’s end-of-life, the hospice team also provides grief support and counseling to surviving family and friends.