The focus of hospice is on caring for the dying, not curing. Hospice care is a team-oriented approach that provides quality care, comfort and dignity to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. The team includes medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. It consists of the patient's physician, family caregiver, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy or other counselors, trained volunteers and speech, physical or occupational therapists, if needed. The hospice team develops a plan addressing the patient's individual needs.
Hospice care is available in a hospice facility or in a patient's home.
In caring for a home hospice patient, care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the telephone and transfers to different care settings are available. Many hospice care services are covered under Medicare. Organizing can help make sure that your wishes are followed if you should become ill or unable to care for yourself. Draw up a living will including instructions of how you wish to be cared for and if you are to be kept alive by artificial means. Have a durable power of attorney that gives a family member or caregiver the authorization to make decisions for you if you are unable to do so for yourself.