Understanding hospice care

If you are caring for a loved one near end-of-life, you probably have questions about how to get the support you need. You may have been told to search for hospice services, but aren’t sure exactly what it is or who provides it. You aren’t alone. We can help answer your questions and share how in-home caregivers can play a role in hospice care.

What is hospice?

Hospice refers to palliative and emotional care around end-of-life. This type of specialized care is provided by a team of professionals in a home or home-like setting. Services can include comfort, pain relief, and medical support provided by nurses, physicians, or other healthcare specialists.

Who pays for hospice?

Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal, and Medicaid plans pay for the cost of hospice. Most private insurance plans also cover hospice. For insurance coverage, a physician must write an order for hospice stating that the care recipient has a terminal condition with a life expectancy of six months or less.

When should you consider hospice for a loved one?

Hospice is a personal decision, and there is no right answer for everyone. It’s something to discuss with your family and decision-makers involved in your loved one’s care. 

If your loved one’s medical care team has discussed their prognosis with you and has shared that continued treatment is unlikely to lead to recovery, it might be time to discuss the options. Consider if your loved one has expressed a preference for comfort care. Remember, you can always seek treatment for any condition that isn’t related to the terminal diagnosis.

In-home caregiving can help

Many people expect that hospice provides round-the-clock care, but this is not usually the case. While your loved one’s activities of daily living (such as bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, and transfers) may be limited, caregivers can be an invaluable source of non medical in-home assistance and emotional support.

In-home caregivers can augment hospice services by:

• Assisting with help around the home to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible

• Providing companionship when family and friends aren’t able to be present

• Running errands, feeding pets, and keeping up communication with your loved one’s in-app Care Team 

Hospice care, supported by in-home caregiving, is about helping your loved one—as well as you and your family—through the end-of-life transition. During this difficult time, when you may be juggling family responsibilities and the emotional weight of letting go of a family member, a reliable, supportive in-home caregiver can bring peace of mind, allowing you to focus on spending time with your loved one.  

If you are struggling to find the care you need, please reach out. We’re here to help. Call 415-506-9776 to speak with our team of Care Experts.