5 Common Services Hospice Provides

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senior man in a hospital bed with wife holding hand in hospice — _{Image Credit: Shutterstock}

Hospice is specialized care and medical support for those who are nearing the end of life. It focuses on providing comfort, managing symptoms, and ensuring a peaceful and dignified transition. It’s important to understand when hospice might be the right choice for yourself or a loved one.

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Who is Hospice Care For?

People typically consider hospice care when curative treatments for a serious illness are no longer the primary focus. This could be due to several factors:

Life expectancy: Doctors typically recommend hospice when a patient’s life expectancy is estimated to be 6 months or less if the illness runs its natural course.
Shifting goals: The focus of care shifts from curing the illness to managing symptoms and maximizing comfort and quality of life for the remaining time.

Requirements For Hospice Care

To qualify for hospice services, there are usually two main requirements:

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Medical certification: A doctor, typically the patient’s primary physician or a hospice physician, must certify that the patient meets the life expectancy criteria.
Patient choice: The patient must elect to receive hospice care and agree to forgo curative treatments aimed at curing the underlying illness.

How Long Can Someone Be in Hospice?

The initial hospice certification is typically for a period of 6 months. However, if the patient continues to meet the eligibility criteria, the hospice benefit can be renewed for additional periods as long as medically necessary. It’s important to note that sometimes a patient’s condition improves, and they may choose to discontinue hospice care and resume curative treatment.

5 Common Services Hospice Provides

Hospice care provides a comprehensive support system to navigate this challenging time. Let’s explore the most common services offered by hospice programs:

1. Access to Medical Supplies and Equipment

senior using a walker outside with the help of a family caregiver — _{Image Credit: Shutterstock}

Whether a person is receiving in-home care or inpatient hospice care, medical supplies and equipment are available. Supplies like bandages, catheters, and bedpans can be provided at no cost. Additionally, equipment like wheelchairs or even walkers may also be provided. Anything that a care team deems necessary for comfort may be included.

2. Medication

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A person who is nearing the end of life may experience symptoms such as pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, and more. A care team will provide medication that can help alleviate (but not cure) these symptoms. Common drugs prescribed for comfort are:

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Acetaminophen
Antidepressants
Bisacodyl
Haldol
Lorazepam
Morphine
Trazodone
And more.

Read Next: Does Medicare Pay For Hospice?

3. Spiritual Counseling

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It’s important to remember that hospice addresses all of a patient’s needs—not just the physical ones. In other words, emotional and spiritual needs are looked after, too! If a patient who is near the end of life wishes, hospice will provide spiritual counseling. This can include a chaplain or any other religious or spiritual leader from any faith. Spiritual counseling can help a patient and their family understand and accept their circumstances, as well as provide comfort.

4. Skilled Nursing

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Hospice care, whether administered at home or in a facility, also includes skilled nursing services. This includes:

Administration of medication for pain management or controlling symptoms and adjusting dosages as necessary to ensure the patient’s comfort.
Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
Wound care. Healthcare professionals will make sure wounds are cleaned and dressed properly to prevent infection.

5. Respite Care

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Respite care is a service that provides short-term relief to caregivers. When someone in hospice receives most of their care at home, that person may stay at a hospital or other facility to give their primary caregiver a break. The duration of the stay is usually a few days, or maybe just one.