Hospice (terminal illness care)

Hospice care is available to any patient who, according to his or her doctor, is in the advancing stages of a terminal illness, has a life expectancy of six months or less and is no longer seeking curative treatment. Hospice may also benefit patients managing pain, struggling with medications, enduring frequent ER visits or hospitalizations, or in need of understanding how a chronic condition can be managed for better quality of life.

• Cancer
• Alzheimer's disease
• Dementia
• ALS/Parkinson's disease
• End-stage lung, cardiovascular, liver or renal diseases
• End-stage diabetes
• End-stage AIDS
• Stroke/coma
• Failure to thrive 

Hospice care can be provided in the home, hospital, long-term care or residential facility. Referrals can be made by family members, friends or health professionals. A Prisma Health doctor must provide the plan of care.

Prisma Health hospice services are covered under Medicare and Medicaid at no cost to the patient or family. Services also are covered by HMOs, PPOs, private payment, CHAMPUS and private insurance plans. We will be happy to verify insurance coverage for you.

Prisma Health hospice experts are trained in easing the loss of a loved one.

Our bereavement services are focused on:

• Helping people understand their individual grieving process
• Encouraging open expression of feelings of loss and grief
• Decreasing isolation by connecting people with available support systems
• Providing telephone support to grieving friends and family
• Responding to requests for information about bereavement support groups, programs and workshops
• Grief workshops and other educational programs

Bereavement services can continue for at least one year after the loss and include social worker and volunteer visits, counseling, memorial services and adult support programs.

Learn more about bereavement services.

The earlier a doctor refers a patient to hospice care, the sooner the patient and family will receive specialized care – and the more a family’s concerns can be reduced. People with life-threatening illnesses often choose hospice care to provide them with the resources they need to remain at home and live each day to the fullest.

Plan ahead

• Make an appointment with your Prisma Health doctor. Tell your doctor that you want to have an honest conversation about your condition, prognosis and treatment options.
• Be clear. Outline your wishes and opinions beforehand so that you can express them clearly to your doctor.
• Consider asking a family member or friend to accompany you to the appointment

Ask questions

• If the condition doesn’t improve over the next six months, what is the best course of care?
• What are some ways to ensure comfort?
• Is there any way to improve quality of life?

Express yourself

• Make sure your doctor knows your concerns about treatment options. 
• Let your doctor know how you want your treatment to progress and how you would like to be treated medically, emotionally and spiritually.
• Be sure to communicate if you disagree with the doctor’s recommendations.