Hospice Care
Jon’s dad was 88. “My dad died at home. Hospice came every day. The aide was very kind to him, and she bathed him. I think he was comfortable. When he died, someone came out and helped me handle things.”
Hospice is care to keep a person comfortable in the last months of life. Health plans must cover hospice care.
Topics on this page
Choosing hospice care
- Talk to your doctor and close family or friends about your decision to choose hospice care.
- You must have an illness that you will not recover from.
- You can return to regular care at any time if you wish.
- For more information, visit California Registry .
Hospice providers
Care must be given by a hospice agency that is licensed by the state and approved by your plan. If Medicare or Medi-Cal is covering the hospice care, the agency must follow specific guidelines for these programs.
How hospice works
A nurse visits the home to set up a plan with the patient and/or family. She visits every few days. The nurse or a nurse’s aide helps with medicines, bathing, and other care. The nurse can also help the family deal with emotional stress and make the final arrangements when the patient dies.
In hospice, your medical care is limited to care that keeps you comfortable. This includes medicines to control pain and symptoms. It can include inpatient care for a short time to control pain or other symptoms, or to give relief to the family.
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