header picture

What is Hospice?

Hospice is a special way of caring for someone when a cure is no longer realistic. The focus of hospice is on care - compassionate care that enables patients to continue an alert, pain-free life surrounded by those they love. Hospice provides care that includes the family in all decisions. 

Hospice care neither prolongs nor hastens death, but provides specialized support during the transition from this life to the next. Most of all, the call for hospice does not signify the end of hope, but simply a change of focus. Patients who get better or wish to seek active treatment for their terminal illness, may discontinue hospice service and go back at a later time.

Hospice care is different from other types of health care because:

  • It is coordinated and supervised by interdisciplinary care teams.
  • It tends to the spiritual needs of the patient and family
  • It offers caregiver relief so family members or other caregivers can get much-needed rest.
  • It offers bereavement care for 13 months after a loved-one's death.
  • It offers grief support for staff as well as patients and families.
  • It allows patients to be cared for wherever they call home.

    • Frequently asked questions

What is an interdisciplinary care team?

An interdisciplinary care team manages all aspects of a patient's hospice care. Physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, therapists and trained volunteers work together, offering support based on their special areas of expertise.

If I enroll on hospice service, will a nurse stay with me around the clock?

Hospice is interim care, meaning nurses, home health aides, family support staff and volunteers meet patients' needs based on individual plans of care. Patients are seen by their nurses two-to-three times per week and other team members when necessary to meet the needs of the entire family. In addition, nurses and family support staff are available 24 hours a day for any issues that arise after regular business hours. 

Who pays for hospice care?

Medicare covers 100 percent of hospice services, while Medi-Cal and most private insurances generally cover hospice care with little or no out-of-pocket expense. Hoffmann's social workers are available to conduct financial assessments and to assist patients with financial issues. As a nonprofit, Hoffmann Hospice accepts hospice eligible patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Does hospice care only for patients with a diagnoses of terminal cancer?

Hospice care is for anyone of any age with a diagnosis of six months or less to live, regardless of the illness.

Does hospice serve only patients who live in private homes?

Hoffmann care teams go where our patients live - private homes, skilled nursing or long-term care facilities, board and care homes, hotels or motels. When you're on service with Hoffmann, we'll meet you whereever you call home.

Is it true that patients receiving hospice care must first have a Do Not Resuscitate order signed by a physician?

Patients do not need to have a DNR order signed at the time of enrollments onto hospice. Often, physicians rely on hospice to get a DNR order because they are reluctant to have the discussion with the patient. However, Hoffmann staff will work with the family to determine the best time to have a DNR order signed.

How will I know when it's time to call for hospice care?

Once a terminal illness is diagnosed, the patient, a family member, friend or physician may make the call for hospice. Hoffmann staff then meets with the patient and family to explain hospice care and help them decide if they are ready to move from a curative plan of care to one that focuses on comfort and symptom relief. Making the call isn't easy, but you shouldn't wait until death is imminent. For those who want to spend their final days, weeks, or months at home with loved ones, hospice is the best resort, not the last.

How long may a patient remain on hospice care?

Indefinitely. Our patients may continue to receive hospice care as long as they meet hospice criteria. Once on service, they are evaluated on a regular basis by our team of medical professionals. Whenever removing a patient from hospice care is a possibility, patients and their families are always involved in the decision. There is never a rush. At Hoffmann, some of our patients have been with us for months, occasionally for years.