Its mission is to support both the dying patient and the family emotionally, while tending to physical needs. Hospice services include medications, medical equipment, nursing care, counseling, pastoral care, and home-health aides to help with bathing, dressing, cooking and cleaning. Medicare and many private insurance companies cover the cost of hospice care. To qualify for hospice, patients must have six months or less to live. They must agree to stop seeking medical treatment to cure their illnesses and accept comfort care only.
Some wills are detailed, others more broad.
Living wills have become increasingly popular since 1990, when Congress required hospitals and nursing homes to provide information to patients about living wills upon admission. Living wills were never intended to be used in emergencies, but rather as a guide. Advocates strongly believe that a living will alone is not enough, that families should talk among themselves well before a crisis arises about how much care and treatment an individual would want. A medical power of attorney is a legal document that allows a person to appoint someone he trusts to be his spokesperson when he can t speak for himself. Assisted suicide Physician-assisted suicide is illegal in most states .