What is hospice? Hospice is a family-centered approach to care at the end of life that focuses on making every day count. It is provided with a team of experts that bring as much or as little care as you want to you and your family. Hospice can be provided wherever you want to live.
Hospice is offered when the focus shifts away from treatment to comfort and support. It generally begins when life expectancy is in months rather than years. Hospice allows you to choose where you want to spend the last months of your life and how you want to be treated during this time.
Your hospice team will work with you and your family to understand what is most important to you and to honor your wishes. Hospice is offered at home, in assisted living, or in a long-term care facility. If you need more intense care, you may go to the Kansas City Hospice House™ or NorthCare Hospice House, where our staff provides care around the clock and your family is relieved of the stresses of caregiving.
Hospice provides:
- Expert management of symptoms like pain, nausea, shortness of breath, insomnia and anxiety
- Services for people of every age, from babies and children to adults
- Team approach to care that gives you more knowledge and expertise
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
- Volunteers to help with things that are not covered by insurance, like companionship, time off for caregivers, errands, pet care and more
- Care that comes to you where you live
- Your choice in what care you want to receive and a promise to honor your wishes
- You can change your mind at any time
CNN: Hospice: What is it and when is it for you? July 26, 2015
The Blade: One of America’s Great Newspapers, Hospice: Making a good death possible, by Keith C. Burris, August 9, 2015
