Ten Important Facts about Hospice Care You May Not Know

Many people think hospice care is just about dying. But hospice care is more than that. Hospice brings comfort and support to people facing a life-limiting illness. It also reaches out to provide support for the family and friends who love and care for them.

Hospice care honors life's final journey, leaving a legacy of compassion and caring. Hospice brings comfort, dignity and peace to help people live every moment of life to the fullest, leaving loved ones with memories to treasure.

Last year, 1.4 million dying Americans were served by the nation's hospice providers, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Yet there are several facts about hospice that many are not aware of, and this could keep people from receiving this compassionate care when they need it most. Here are ten things to know.

1. Hospice is a type of high-quality care that provides the patient and family with medical, emotional, and spiritual care, and support focusing on comfort and quality of life.
   
   
2. Medicare beneficiaries pay little or nothing for hospice, and most insurance plans, HMOs and managed care plans include hospice coverage.
   
   
3. Hospice serves anyone who is facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of age.
   
   
4. Research has shown that the majority of Americans do not want to spend their last days in a hospital; hospice treats pain and manages symptoms while allowing most patients to be at home.
   
   
5. Hospice also serves people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
   
   
6. Hospice patients and families can receive care for six months or longer, and the greatest benefits are gained by accessing hospice care for more than just a few days.
   
   
7. 99% of Medicare beneficiaries live in an area where hospice is available.
   
   
8. A person may keep his or her referring physician involved while receiving hospice care.
   
   
9. Hospice serves people of all backgrounds and traditions. The core values of hospice—allowing the patient to be with family, spiritual and emotional support, and treating pain—cut across all cultures.
   
   
10. Hospice offers grief and bereavement services to family members and the community.

Take the time to find out more about hospice care. The best time to learn about hospice is before someone in your family is facing a healthcare crisis.

This information is provided by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Regency Healthcare Group.