Hospice Care

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Hospice care helps people spend their last days with dignity and quality surrounded by the people they love. It stresses pain relief and comfort measures rather than prolonging life. Hospice care involves a team of professionals and volunteers who provide medical, emotional and spiritual support. Hospice also trains the family or caregivers to give care and prepares them for their loved one’s end of life.

Individuals may return to regular medical care, if needed. Hospice can give care in a person’s home, a nursing home or an adult foster home. It can also take place in a residential care, assisted living, memory care, nursing or hospice facility. The person can use his or her own physician or another health care provider.

How do I pay for hospice care?

Hospice care is covered by health insurance. The hospice program manages the care and most of the costs associated with treating symptoms of the terminal illness. Medicare or the person’s insurance plan continues to pay for physicians or other health care provider services. Patients may need to meet co-pays or other uncovered costs. However, no one will ever be turned down for financial reasons.

For Washington State Department of Health information on home health, the Nurse Delegation Law, and hospice services, click here.