November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month

—a time to learn about the choices you have when faced with a life-limiting illness.

When we die may not be a choice. How we live is. Hospice doesn’t give us the power to shorten or prolong life, just the power to live it as we choose. To be at home, if we wish. To be pain-free. To be comforted and cared for when we can no longer be cured.

Coping with a terminal illness can be overwhelming—most people don’t know where to turn for help. Fortunately, medical care that provides patients and their families with comfort, compassion, and dignity at the end of life is available. And it’s covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. It’s called HOSPICE. Last year, hospice helped one million Americans live fully up until the end of life.

What is Hospice?

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury, hospice and palliative care involve a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. 

The focus of hospice relies on the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.  The focus is on caring, not curing and in most cases, care is provided to you in your own home.  Hospice can be provided in freestanding hospice facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.  Hospice is available to persons of any age, religion or race.

1. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing and, in most cases; care is provided in the patient's home.

2. Hospice care also is provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
3. Hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race, or illness.
4. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs, and other managed care organizations.

For more information, please follow the link below: www.caringinfo.org