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The Alleviate Care Team

Hospice Care Explained: What Patients and Families Need to Know

Updated: Oct 28

by the Alleviate Care Team


Older man reclined by a window reading.

Choosing hospice care for a loved one can be among the most challenging and emotional decisions a family can face. At Alleviate, we believe that understanding hospice—its goals, services, and benefits—can help you navigate this transition with greater confidence and peace of mind.


What is hospice? 


Hospice is a special type of medical care focused on providing support and comfort to patients at the end of life. While comfort care can be offered at any stage of a serious illness, including alongside curative treatments, hospice is specifically designed for patients with life-limiting illness, when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired. It shifts the focus from curing illness to improving the patient’s quality of life, helping them manage symptoms and live their remaining days as comfortably as possible. 


The word hospice is centuries old and derives from the Latin hospitum, meaning hospitality or place of rest for the ill or weary. The modern hospice movement began in 1967 with the work of Dame Cicely Saunders. A British nurse and social worker, she established the world’s first hospice and advocated for a compassionate approach to end-of-life care that prioritized dignity and comfort.


The hospice model gained traction around the world, and in 1982, the U.S. government established the Medicare Hospice Benefit to meet the growing need for hospice care. In most cases, hospice is covered 100% by Medicare. This means eligible patients and families do not need to worry about costs.


Hospice is rooted in tradition but also embraces modern tools to make care professional and personalized. It includes advanced pain management techniques, telehealth services for remote check-ins, and communication tools that connect families with the care team. 


When is hospice care appropriate?


Hospice is available for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and are expected to live six months or less, based on the prognosis from a physician. However, the six-month estimate does not mean that hospice care is time-limited. If a patient’s condition changes, care can be extended, or, in some cases, patients may leave hospice if their condition improves. Should their condition change again, they can re-enter hospice when they become eligible.


What services are part of hospice? 


Hospice offers patients a range of services including pain management, symptom control, emotional and spiritual support, and bereavement care. A dedicated team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers works closely with families to create personalized care plans that honor each patient’s needs and wishes. Alleviate’s care plans are as unique as the patients they serve. 


How does hospice support families? 


The end-of-life experience impacts not just patients, but families as well. At Alleviate, we provide families with compassionate, expert guidance and unwavering support to help them make confident, well-informed decisions for their loved ones. Most importantly, hospice care enables patients and families to connect and have time with each other during this important stage. 


Alleviate supports families throughout their journey, providing ongoing bereavement support to families for up to 13 months after their loved one has passed. Our team offers grief counseling, support groups, and other resources to help families find comfort and cope with their loss.


Choosing a hospice provider


Navigating end-of-life care options can be a daunting and stressful experience. With Alleviate, you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is in the right hands. Our approach ensures each patient’s comfort and dignity while providing families with ongoing communication and support, making us a trusted choice for end-of-life care.




 

Alleviate Care is Southern California’s trusted hospice provider.


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