Hospice, explained gently

Hospice is specialized care focused on comfort and quality of life for people with a life-limiting illness, when the goal shifts from curing the illness to living as fully and comfortably as possible. It surrounds the patient and family with medical, emotional, and spiritual support — most often right at home.

Hospice is for individuals whose physician estimates a prognosis of six months or less, should the illness run its natural course, and who choose comfort-focused care. We’re glad to help you understand eligibility with a no-obligation evaluation — just reach out.

For most families, hospice is provided at no out-of-pocket cost. It is covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit, AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid), and most private insurance plans — including visits, medications related to the diagnosis, and medical equipment.

Yes. The Medicare Hospice Benefit fully covers hospice care, including the care team’s visits, medications related to the hospice diagnosis, medical equipment and supplies, and bereavement support — typically with no cost to the patient or family.

Yes — home is where most hospice care happens. Our team comes to wherever the patient lives, whether that’s a private home, an assisted-living community, or a nursing facility, with a nurse on call 24/7.

Absolutely. Your loved one’s personal physician can stay involved and work alongside our hospice medical team — or our hospice physician can direct the plan of care. The choice is yours.

Admission is gentle and unhurried. We confirm eligibility, explain everything clearly, and build a personalized plan of care around the patient’s wishes. When time matters, care — and delivery of needed medications and equipment — can often begin the same day.

Yes. Hospice is never a one-way door. If a patient improves or wishes to pursue curative treatment again, they can leave hospice at any time — and can return later if they become eligible again.

Both focus on comfort. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of a serious illness. Hospice is a form of palliative care for when curative treatment is no longer the goal and the focus is fully on comfort and quality of life.

Yes. Your loved one’s personal physician can stay involved and work alongside our hospice medical team — or our physician can oversee care. The choice is yours.

Often the same day. Once eligibility is confirmed, we can begin care quickly and arrange delivery of needed medications and equipment — frequently the same or next day. Just call us to start.