What is Hospice?

Hospice is a philosophy and model of care centered on providing relief of symptoms to patients facing life-limiting illnesses. This model focuses on providing holistic care to the patient – as well as their family – with the goal of maintaining the best quality of life for however long that might be.

Who is Eligible for Hospice?

Hospice is available to those diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice is for any person with a life-limiting illness, not only for people with cancer. Hospice care is provided regardless of diagnosis, age, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, creed, sexual orientation, or disability.
For a person who:

  • Has a life expectancy limited to months rather than years
  • A physician certifies that the prognosis is 6 months or less if the disease runs its normal course
  • Is no longer seeking curative treatment of the disease process
  • Requests pain and symptom management as the goal of care

When is Hospice Appropriate?

Hospice is appropriate for those with a terminal illness when a goal of treatment begins to shift from curing the illness to quality of life. This time may come well before a physician indicates that the patient’s life expectancy is likely six months or less. Sadly, many people (and physicians) wait until the final days of life to involve hospice. By contacting hospice earlier, patients and families have time to better understand their options and choose the path that will have the most positive impact on their quality of life. A patient may change his or her mind at any time and can pursue other care options for any reason with notice to the Hospice provider.

Your Right to Decide: Communicating Your Health Care Choices

Questions about medical care at the end-of-life are very important today because of the ability of
medical technology to prolong life and because of highly publicized court cases involving comatose or dying patients. The best way for you to be in control of your medical treatment is to record your preferences in advance. If you wish to have someone speak with you further about advance directives, please speak with your nurse, who will arrange it.

Levels of Care

Routine Home Care

– Care in the home or outside care facility is provided by the hospice team through regularly scheduled visits which can be once or twice a week to daily depending on the needs of the patient and family. (Most of our patients fall into this category)

Continuous Care

– An intensive or crisis level of care can be provided to hospice patients when their symptoms cannot be managed at the routine level of care. Continuous Care is provided on a short-term basis (1-3 days) to maintain the patient in their home or care facility. Nursing care is usually provided for 8-24 hours a day and some of the hours may be provided by a home health aide until the crisis is resolved.

General Inpatient Care (GIP)

– Inpatient care is provided for pain and symptom management at a participating hospital, long term care facility or specialized hospice inpatient unit. Short term (1-5 days) inpatient care is provided to the patient for pain control and/or other symptoms not adequately being managed in the patient’s residence.

Respite Care

– Respite Care is short term inpatient care provided to relieve those caring for the patient in their home. Respite care is normally provided in a contracted nursing facility up to five consecutive days at a time. During this time, the patient will remain on their regular home care regimen so as to not disrupt their routine.

Transportation to and from respite care or inpatient care is arranged by Hospice in the Desert.