What is hospice care?
Hospice care is a special type of care designed to provide comfort and support for individuals with a terminal illness and their families. It is a type of care that prioritizes quality of life and dignity when a cure is no longer possible or desired.
The primary goal of hospice is to manage pain and other symptoms so that the patient can live their final months as fully and comfortably as possible, surrounded by their loved ones.
When a person enters hospice care, the focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort care. This means that while treatments to stop the disease’s progression are discontinued, medications and therapies to manage pain and symptoms continue. Hospice care addresses the patient’s holistic needs, including physical, emotional, and spiritual care.
Hospice care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of professionals tailored to the patient’s individual needs. This team typically includes doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aides, counselors, therapists, and volunteers.
Team members visit periodically, and support is available by phone 24/7 to answer questions or to dispatch if needed, ensuring no one is alone.
The decision to begin hospice is deeply personal, but it is typically recommended when a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if their illness runs its natural course.
Hospice care is not limited to cancer patients; it supports individuals with a range of serious, progressive illnesses such as heart disease, dementia, lung disease, and kidney failure.
Most patients prefer to receive care in the place they call home, whether it is a private residence, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility.
In Sun Valley, hospice care is fully covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal (Medicaid), or private insurances if the patient meets eligibility requirements certified by two physicians.
We believe early, open discussions with physicians and loved ones are crucial to ensuring that end-of-life care truly aligns with the patient’s wishes and goals.
We are proud to be fully accredited and certified by Medicare and Medicaid, providing the highest standard of care when it matters most. Our dedicated team is available 24 hours a day to provide support, answer your questions, or respond to urgent needs.
To learn more about how we can support your family, please call us today at (747) 755-5181.
Contact information
- Phone: (747)755-5181
- E-mail: info@hospicevalley.com
- Office Hours: Mon-Sun 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM
- Insurances Accepted: Medicare, Medi-Cal (Medicaid), and private insurances.
Hospice care services
Hospice care encompasses a wide range of services, all aimed at improving the comfort and quality of life for patients and their families. The hospice services include:
- Pain and Symptom Management: One of the primary goals of hospice care is to manage pain and other distressing symptoms effectively. This includes administering medications, physical therapy, and other interventions to alleviate discomfort.
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Hospice care provides counseling and emotional support to help patients and their families cope with the emotional challenges that come with terminal illness. This support extends to grief counseling for families after the patient’s passing.
- Spiritual Care: Recognizing that end-of-life experiences often bring up spiritual questions and concerns, hospice care includes access to chaplains or spiritual counselors who can provide comfort and guidance according to the patient’s beliefs and wishes.
- Assistance with Daily Living: Hospice aides are available to assist with personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, ensuring that patients can maintain as much independence as possible.
- Medical Equipment and Supplies: Hospice care providers supply necessary medical equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen, as well as any medications needed for pain relief and symptom management.
- Family Support Services: Hospice care extends to family members, providing them with education, respite care, and emotional support to help them through the caregiving process and beyond.
- Bereavement Support: After the loss of a loved one, hospice care continues to support families with bereavement counseling and support groups, helping them navigate their grief.
Insurance coverage and accepted plans
Hospice care is typically 100% covered by Medicare, as well as by state Medicaid programs like Medi-Cal in California. Furthermore, most private insurance plans, managed care plans, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA benefits) also provide coverage for approved hospice benefits.
While our network of accepted providers is continually expanding to serve more community members, please do not hesitate to reach out if your plan is not immediately visible. Our dedicated admissions team is available to assist you personally. Call us directly at (747) 755-5181 so we can verify your specific benefits and discuss all available options to ensure a smooth and stress-free admission process for your loved one.
- Medicare
- Medi-Cal
- LA Care
- United Healthcare
- Health Net
- Blue Shield of California
- Blue Cross
- First Health
- Regal Medical Group
- Lakeside Medical Group
- Cigna
- Heritage Provider Network
- Mission Community
- Central Health Plan
- Healthnet Federal Services Tricare
Frequently asked questions
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is a compassionate, comfort-focused approach to care for individuals with a terminal illness who are no longer seeking curative treatments. The goal is to manage pain and symptoms, enhance the quality of life, and provide emotional and spiritual support to both patients and their families wherever they call home.
Who pays for hospice care?
Hospice services are typically covered 100% by Medicare Part A, Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program), and most private insurance plans. This coverage includes the interdisciplinary team visits, medications, medical equipment, and supplies related to the terminal diagnosis.
When is the right time to consider hospice care?
The right time to consider hospice is when a physician determines a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course, and the patient decides to focus on comfort care instead of curative measures. Many families express wishing they had started hospice sooner to benefit from months of meaningful support and quality time together.
Who can make a referral to hospice care?
Anyone can make an initial referral to a hospice provider. This includes a patient, family member, friend, caregiver, social worker, or hospital discharge planner. To establish hospice eligibility, the hospice team will work in close collaboration with the patient’s attending physician.
Where does hospice care take place?
Hospice services are provided wherever the patient lives. This can be a private residence, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The hospice team comes to the patient, ensuring they remain in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Is hospice care only for cancer patients?
No. Hospice care is available for anyone with a life-limiting illness, including end-stage heart disease, lung disease (COPD), kidney failure, stroke, and dementia.
Does hospice provide 24-hour care?
Hospice care is structured around regularly scheduled visits from an interdisciplinary team to provide expert medical management, emotional support, and assistance. It is essential to understand that hospice does not typically provide a team member to remain in the patient’s home 24 hours a day for continuous personal or custodial care. Day-to-day caregiving responsibilities rest with family members and loved ones.
However, the hospice team is always just a phone call away. A dedicated nurse is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, to manage questions or handle urgent crises via phone or an emergency home visit.
The only exception where continuous in-home support is provided is during an acute medical crisis. If severe pain or symptoms cannot be safely managed through routine intermittent visits, hospice can initiate “continuous care” to ensure a staff member remains with the patient around the clock until the immediate symptoms are under control and the patient is comfortable and safe.