Deciding when to start care and comfort services is a personal choice, but many patients transition when they have decided to stop curative or aggressive treatments and want to focus on the quality of their time, and being able to enjoy that time with family and friends. Understanding what to expect from Hospice Care can help you better understand what you need in a team, and what kind of services you will benefit from most.
Our interdisciplinary care team includes doctors, hospice nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and trained volunteers. Together, we help you navigate each step by:
At every step, Ascend Health is here to offer steady support, honoring your loved one’s needs with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Eligibility for hospice care is generally based on a physician’s certification that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Common qualifying conditions include:
If you’re unsure whether you or your loved one qualifies, our Ascend Hospice care coordinators can help guide you through the assessment process.
While both hospice care and palliative care work to relieve pain and symptoms. Palliative Care is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. Unlike hospice, palliative care is available while a patient is still seeking treatment. Some people may be physically ready for hospice, but mentally are not ready. In these instances, palliative care can assist them in navigating the complexities of advanced medical care and help them focus on their individual goals.
When the focus shifts from curative treatment to preserving quality for the time that remains, people begin considering hospice. Hospice becomes an option when life expectancy is six months or less, though patients can be certified for additional 60-day periods of care.
Hospice often becomes preferable when a patient is seeking relief from frequent emergency room visits or is physically or emotionally tired of challenging treatments that no longer have a positive impact on life expectancy or quality of life.
The benefits of hospice care extend beyond physical comfort. Families often describe hospice as a source of relief, stability, and peace during an incredibly difficult and emotional time.
Key benefits include:
Facing the end of life can feel overwhelming, but understanding the stages of hospice care can help families feel more grounded, informed, and emotionally prepared. While every individual’s journey is unique, hospice care generally follows a structured path designed to support both patients and loved ones as needed. At Ascend Hospice, you’ll receive guidance through each phase with clarity, empathy, and unwavering presence.
This is the starting point of hospice care. First, a team member meets with the patient and family to review medical history, current symptoms, personal goals, and preferences. Together, we create a personalized care plan that reflects not just the patient’s condition, but their values and vision for this final stage of life.
Once care begins, the priority is to manage physical symptoms like pain, nausea, breathlessness, or anxiety. Our hospice nurses and physicians work quickly to bring these under control so the patient can experience greater comfort and peace. This phase often provides families with a deep sense of relief, knowing their loved one is no longer suffering unnecessarily.
As the patient’s condition evolves, so does the care plan. The hospice team provides regular visits and continuous monitoring. Adjustments are made to ensure that pain and symptoms stay managed and that emotional and spiritual needs are also met. Support is also extended to family caregivers, who often become part of the team.
Hospice care doesn’t end at the moment of death. Families receive grief counseling, resources, and follow-up for up to 13 months after losing their loved one. Whether it’s through support groups, one-on-one counseling, or simple check-ins, this phase ensures no one is left to grieve alone.
Hospice care is covered by Medicare (Part A), Medicaid, and many private insurance plans. For eligible patients, it often comes at little to no cost. Covered hospice benefits usually include:
Our team at Ascend Hospice can work with you to verify coverage and explain any out-of-pocket expenses based on your specific plan.
In most cases, hospice care at home is fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans or HMOs, as long as the patient meets eligibility criteria (typically a life expectancy of six months or less, certified by a physician). This means that for the majority of families, there is little to no out-of-pocket hospice care cost.
If a patient requires additional 24-hour caregiving or private-duty help beyond what hospice provides (for example, personal care not related to the diagnosis), those services may not be covered and could require out-of-pocket payment or additional hospice home care support.
With decades of experience in compassionate end-of-life care, Ascend Hospice is dedicated to serving patients and families with clinical excellence and heartfelt humanity. Whether you’re exploring care options or already on the journey, we’re here to help.