At first facing a death can feel overwhelming. Living without our loved one may seem unimaginable. Our grief can consume us and the idea of moving beyond our pain may feel impossible. In the midst of sorrow our own needs may be the last thing we want to think about. We may feel lost or……

My dad was in hospice care. He was conscious but weakening daily. As death approached, we kept a death watch. Yet, one night, my dad suggested that we all go to sleep. He seemed to be a bit stronger, so we agreed. Unfortunately, he died quietly in his sleep that night. My sister was deeply……

Grief is a reaction to loss, and like a fingerprint, it is different for everyone.  Many factors influence how you experience and express grief, including your relationship to the person who died, the circumstances of the death, and your culture and spirituality.  Grief is not always about the death of someone you love. You may…

Patients and families who choose hospice care often receive a physician’s referral to a specific hospice provider. In some areas, this may be the only option for hospice care. In other cases, patients and families may be able to choose among multiple providers. It is not necessary to choose the hospice recommended by a physician, hospital, or nursing home.

Most patients enter hospice when a physician refers them for end-of-life care, often after they have been hospitalized or spent time in a nursing care facility. Alternatively, patients or their loved ones may “self-refer” by contacting a hospice provider directly to discuss the patient’s medical status and care needs. In either case, any hospice provider…

The first week of at-home hospice care can bring a flurry of unanticipated activity. However, the pace of visits will generally slow after the first few days and begin to follow a predictable routine. Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals with experience in end-of-life care. These typically include a hospice physician,…

Most hospice patients are eligible for Medicare, which covers all aspects of hospice care and services. There is no deductible for hospice services, although there may be a nominal co-payment for prescriptions and for respite care.