If someone you love has received a serious diagnosis, hearing the word “hospice” might make your stomach sink. 

Many people hold the quiet belief that choosing hospice means giving up. Giving up on their loved one, on the future, on fighting the condition that their family was rallying against. 

That fear is far from uncommon. But, even though it’s common, it’s important to gently set it aside.

“Instead of feeling like they are giving up,” says Sonja Jacobs, psychosocial services manager at Center for Hospice Care, “we want family members to know that they are choosing to enhance the quality of the remainder of their loved one’s life.”

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice Care: Defined

Hospice care is a specialized type of medical care for people who have an advanced serious illness. Their life expectancy is often measured in months rather than years. When the focus shifts from a cure to prioritizing comfort, dignity and quality of life for a patient, hospice care is brought into the conversation. 

Hospice care gives patients and their families the opportunity to make decisions and focus on what matters most, whether that’s spending time with grandchildren, picking up a beloved hobby from the past or relaxing at home without the chaotic feeling of a hospital. 

How Is Hospice Different From Palliative Care?

“Hospice care” and “palliative care” are terms that are often confused, but they describe different levels of care. 

Palliative Care is for people who have serious advanced illnesses whose life expectancy is still measured in years. It is not an “end-of-life” program. It can be for any stage of illness, at any age and can work alongside curative treatment. In fact, the sooner you start palliative care in respect to the progression of an illness, the better. 

Hospice Care is for people with progressed illnesses who are prioritizing comfort instead of treatment. It is up to a physician to certify that someone’s illness carries a life expectancy of six months or less (if the disease were to run its normal course) before they are able to enroll in hospice care.

Having a single provider who understands the nuances between palliative and hospice care, along with the needs of the family, makes the journey much less disorienting for the patient and their loved ones.

What Does Hospice Do?

Who Is On The Hospice Care Team? 

There isn’t just one nurse or doctor who delivers hospice care. Instead, the care is spread amongst an entire team. That includes nurses, doctors, social workers, aides, chaplains and volunteers who are all coordinated for your loved one. These people can provide care and supply medications, supplies and equipment. Grief counselors are available for the family after a loved one has died.

Does Hospice Provide 24/7 Care At Home?

Under normal circumstances, hospice does not provide around-the-clock care at home. What it does include are regular nurse visits, 24/7 phone support, and on-call night visits. 

Where Is Hospice Care Provided?

In 90% of cases, hospice care is delivered right where a patient lives. Some may live in assisted living communities, nursing homes, in a family home or their own residence. If a higher level of care is needed, Center for Hospice Care has two inpatient units available. 

Wherever your loved one resides is where we will provide their care. 

About 60% of Americans say they’d prefer to die at home, but only 30% believe that will actually happen for them. Hospice care exists to close that gap. We are here to help families honor the wishes of the people they love. 

How Does Hospice Manage Pain? 

Hospice care addresses all sources of pain. In many cases, emotional and spiritual pain is just as distressing as physical pain. The clinical team stays current on the latest approaches to symptomatic relief, and physical/occupational therapists may be a part of the patient’s treatment team in order for them to stay as mobile and self-sufficient as they possibly can. Specialists in massage and diet counseling are also available, depending on the patient’s needs. 

The goal is not to sedate a patient so that they withdraw from life — it is just the opposite. The goal is comfort that allows presence for the end of their journey. Patients should be focused on connection and peace in the last chapter of their lives, not pain and discomfort. 

Does Hospice Shorten Life?

Many families hold onto the fear that choosing hospice will make their loved one’s life end sooner than it would have if they had not chosen hospice care. Research shows that this is not the case. 

A JPSM (Journal of Pain and Symptom Management) study that analyzed 4,493 Medicare patients (across 6 populations) found that the average survival for someone receiving hospice care was 29 days longer than a patient who was not receiving such care. Benefits in using hospice were especially notable for people who had congestive heart failure, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. 

Why? When a patient chooses to receive hospice care, they don’t experience the physical rigor of aggressive treatments that might no longer help their condition. They receive attentive care, consistent symptom monitoring and spend their time in familiar surroundings with people who bring them joy. All of these things put together support the length and quality of someone’s life. 

“People often misunderstand and assume that hospice quickens the death process,” Jacobs says. “Most are unaware that hospice benefits are designed to last six months on average. Support is available to patients long before the imminent dying process, and our patients and their families can speak to the value in having a team available during their journey.”

Who Qualifies For Hospice Care?

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Hospice? 

To qualify for hospice, two physicians must agree that a patient’s life expectancy is six months or less if the patient’s illness follows its normal course. From there, an admissions nurse will visit the patient and family, review medical records and complete a thorough assessment before they determine whether or not a patient is eligible for care. 

Common diagnoses that qualify include:

• Congestive heart failure
• COPD
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia 
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cancer
• And many more serious illnesses

Can A Patient Leave Hospice If Their Condition Improves?

Hospice admission is not permanent. There are cases where a patient’s condition improves and their disease seems to be in remission. In that instance, they would be discharged from hospice and return to regular therapy or treatment. If they need to return to hospice at a later date, that is possible as well. 

Hospice Provides Support For Caregivers

Caregiving is one of the most demanding things a person can do in life, especially for a loved one with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia or Parkinson’s. With these conditions, there is no natural pause during the day, meaning the caregiver always has to be “on.” 

“We offer empathy, validation and options,” Jacobs says. “Most of all, we want caregivers to know that they are not alone, we are here to help them figure out what works best for them and their families.” 

What Respite Options Are Available To Caregivers?

At Center For Hospice Care, we offer several layers of support specifically tailored to caregivers, including:

• Volunteer respite: CHC volunteers can sit with your loved one so you can rest, run errands or take some time for yourself. 
• Medicare/Medicaid inpatient respite: Up to five days of inpatient respite care at Esther’s House or the Ernestine M. Raclin House may be covered, which provides a longer break for caregivers. 

Milton Adult Day Services: For patients with neurological conditions, Milton provides meaningful social engagement in a safe and supervised setting, giving caregivers dedicated time to take care of their own needs.

When Should You Call Hospice?

Is It Too Early To Call Hospice? 

Many families feel like they’re not giving their loved one a chance if they call hospice. We assure you that calling earlier doesn’t mean that you are giving up and, in fact, calling earlier rather than later is usually the better option. 

“Patients have the option of going through this journey with the support they need and deserve,” Jacobs explains. “They have a support team walking alongside them that provide emotional, medical, and spiritual care. With such care, they know they are not alone. This is invaluable to families, and it adds a sense of peace throughout the journey.”

Patients and/or families of patients do not need to wait for a physician to bring up the idea of hospice; you are well within your rights to bring it up yourself. If a patient feels ready for hospice care, or if a patient’s family would like to discuss it for their loved one, you have a right to talk about services with a provider.

What Happens When You Call Center For Hospice Care?

When you call us here at CHC, you are under no obligation. We have a conversation to learn more about the condition of your loved one and your state of mind regarding their end-of-life journey. 

“We want families to know right away that it is our honor to provide support to them,” Jacobs says. “We are not here to tell them what to do, but to begin understanding their needs and meeting them where they’re at.” 

If an assessment moves forward from the first conversation, an admissions nurse will visit the patient and their family in person.

“We sit down and ask questions about the patient and family’s history, priorities, challenges, support system and current needs,” Jacobs explains. “We listen more than we talk during that first visit. It’s our chance to gain understanding and start building rapport.” 

There is no rushing involved, no pressure placed on the family and the plan that comes from the visit is one that the family and provider create together. 

What If I’m Not Happy With My Current Hospice Provider?

If you or your family member are already using a hospice provider and you’re unhappy with their care, you have every right to switch. Give us a call to learn about your options. You’re under no obligation to switch, and the conversation is 100% free. 

Taking The Next Step

If a physician has explained to your family that it’s time to look into hospice, or if you feel overwhelmed as a caregiver and are ready to explore options for your loved one, we are here to help. Give us a call at any time of the day or night so we can take the weight off your shoulders.