Types of care
Hospice care
Hospice care is end-of-life care for people with an illness that cannot be cured. It focuses on comfort rather than cure. A team of professionals supports the patient and family, usually at home. Medicare covers it for people whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less.
Why it matters for your family
Hospice helps a person spend the last months as comfortably as possible, often in their own home. A team of nurses, aides, social workers, and counselors supports the family too. Many families wait too long to ask about it. A doctor can explain whether a loved one qualifies. Choosing hospice means stopping treatment meant to cure the terminal illness. Medicare hospice does not pay for room and board at home, so families may still need to arrange daily help. Non-medical caregivers can work alongside a hospice team, but they do not replace it.
Source: medicare.gov
Read more: Who Pays for Hospice Care?
Related terms
- Palliative carePalliative care is specialized medical care that eases the symptoms and stress of a serious illness.
- Respite careRespite care is short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break.
- Skilled nursing careSkilled nursing care is nursing and therapy that only licensed professionals, or staff supervised by them, can safely provide.
- Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital insurance.
- Home careHome care is non-medical help for people who live at home, such as bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, errands, and company.
- Advance care planningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.
