The team works together to manage symptoms in order to keep a patient comfortable and alert, which allows the patient to spend meaningful time with loved ones. The hospice team includes hospice physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and the patient's primary care physician, who continues to oversee daily care while a patient is in the hospice program. A bereavement support program is also available to help families cope with the emotional and spiritual issues surrounding their loss. The hospice program provides medical equipment, such as hospital beds, commodes, walkers and oxygen systems, along with prescribed medications for pain and symptom relief. Also covered by the hospice program are outpatient treatments and short-term hospital care, which is sometimes needed when symptoms can't be managed at home.
Most insurance companies offer full coverage.
Hospice patients do not need to be homebound in order to qualify for hospice care. In fact, patients are encouraged to be physically active and to travel if they want to. Use of our site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use . Advocate Health Care respects your privacy. We invite you to view our Privacy Policy .