End-of-life care (5)
- End of life: Caring for a dying loved one
- Hospice care: Comforting the terminally ill
- Terminal illness: Supporting a terminally ill loved one
- see all in End-of-life care
Grief (8)
- Suicide grief: Healing after a loved one's suicide
- Dealing with grief: Confronting painful emotions
- Grief: Coping with reminders after a loss
- see all in Grief
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Hospice care: Comforting the terminally ill
Hospice care might be an option if you or a loved one has a terminal illness. Understand how hospice care works and how to select a program.
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you or a loved one has a terminal illness and you've exhausted all treatment options, you may consider hospice care. Find out how hospice care works and how it can provide comfort and support to you or your loved one, as well as your family and friends.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is intended for people who are nearing the end of life. Hospice care services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a terminally ill person by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Unlike other medical care, however, the focus of hospice care isn't to cure or treat the underlying disease. The goal of hospice care is to provide the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains.
Who can benefit from hospice care?
Hospice care is for a terminally ill person who's expected to have six months or less to live. This doesn't mean that hospice care will be provided only for six months, however. Hospice care can be provided as long as the person's doctor and hospice care team certify that the condition remains life-limiting. Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, while others may have conditions such as heart disease, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Enrolling in hospice care early may help you or your loved one develop a strong relationship with the hospice staff, who can help with preparation for end-of-life needs.
Where is hospice care provided?
Most hospice care is provided at home — with a family member typically serving as the primary caregiver. However, hospice care is also available at hospitals, nursing homes and dedicated hospice facilities.
Keep in mind that no matter where hospice care is provided, sometimes it's necessary to be admitted to a hospital. For instance, if a symptom can't be adequately managed by the hospice care team in a home setting, a hospital stay may be needed.
Next page(1 of 2)
- What is hospice? National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. http://www.caringinfo.org/userfiles/File/PDFs/HospiceCare/hospice_care.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Hospice care: A consumer's guide to selecting a hospice program. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. http://www.caringinfo.org/userfiles/File/PDFs/HospiceCare/Hospice_Care(1).pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Hospice care and the Medicare hospice benefit. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. http://www.caringinfo.org/userfiles/File/PDFs/HospiceCare/Hospice_and_Medicare.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Russell, et al. "I'm not that sick!" Overcoming the barriers to hospice discussions. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2006;73:517.
- Lagman R. Hospice: Philosophy of care and appropriate utilization. www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2010.
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