FAQs

Hospice is not a place—it’s a medical and philosophical approach to care. Our hospice team provides medical, emotional, practical and spiritual support to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. Our philosophy of hospice care is to alleviate physical discomfort while providing emotional, spiritual and bereavement support to the terminally ill patient and their family. A registered nurse is on call around the clock -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- to complement and assist the hospice team in giving patients comfort, peace of mind, enhanced quality of life and dignity at the end of life.

Once you make the decision for hospice care, we manage your entire spectrum of needs related to the terminal diagnosis in an integrated, efficient way that takes significant pressure off your loved one and your family.

There are a variety of factors to take into account when considering hospice. It might be time for hospice if the following apply to your loved one:

• Frequent hospitalizations in the past six months
• Repeat or multiple infections
• Increased or uncontrollable pain
• Unplanned or continued weight loss
• Progressive decline in health despite undergoing treatment
• Life expectancy of six months or less

Hospice services can be provided at home or in an assisted living facility, nursing facility or acute hospital.

Our social workers counsel families and patients to help them understand the emotions they will experience during this difficult time. Bereavement staff counsels families for 13 months as they cope with grief and loss after a loved one’s death.