Older AdultsHospice and Palliative Care
UPMC-Affiliated Hospice Providers Hospice care focuses on caring rather than curing. It is special care for people who have chosen to live out their remaining days pain-free, with dignity, usually in their own homes with the support of family and friends. Hospice offers a “team” approach to providing expert medical care and pain management for the patient and emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and his or her loved ones. Hospice care is available to individuals who are:
Hospice care is all-inclusive, covering costs for visits from professionals (such as hospice nurses, home health aides, social workers, and chaplains), as well as expenses related to medical equipment, pharmacy, and other services needed for end-of-life care. It is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and other managed care organizations and may include some services not generally covered by insurance if billed separately. For those receiving hospice outside of a care facility, the costs of respite care (temporary admission of a patient into a care facility to provide some relief to family and/or caregivers) are covered. Although most people choose to receive hospice services within their own home, care also is available in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities. For more information about hospice, its benefits, and things to
consider when selecting a hospice provider, see the following resource: What is Palliative Care? Similar to hospice care, palliative care focuses on providing treatment, minimizing pain, and offering psychological, spiritual, and social support to patients and families during all stages of a serious illness. However, palliative care extends the principles of hospice, providing care earlier in the illness or disease process, and no specific therapy is excluded from consideration. Patient and family needs are continually assessed, and treatment options are explored and evaluated. Palliative care is available to people who:
As the illness progresses, palliative care may transition into hospice care, assuming more of a focus on caring than curing. Palliative care is not a separate benefit under Medicare. Respite
care for the caregiver is not covered under palliative care;
however, depending on the type of insurance, there may be some provisions
for respite under the hospice benefit. UPMC-Affiliated Hospice Providers
Accessing Hospice and
Palliative Care Services The Pennsylvania Hospice Network provides a directory of hospice and palliative care providers throughout the state, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization allows you to search for providers throughout the nation.
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