Hospice Care 101: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction to Hospice Care

When someone you love is facing a serious illness, making decisions about their care can feel overwhelming. Hospice care is sometimes misunderstood, but at its core, it’s about helping your loved one live their final stages of life in comfort.

At Nueva Hospice, we treat every patient and family like our own. We’re here with you every step of the way, from managing pain and symptoms to small comforts like fluffing pillows, offering a listening ear, helping with everyday tasks, and most importantly, honoring your loved one’s wishes. We’re committed to creating a space where every moment is cherished, offering guidance, support, and peace through life’s transitions. We understand how challenging this journey can be, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care provides special support for those living with serious, life-limiting illnesses. The focus shifts from curing the illness to keeping your loved one as comfortable and at peace as possible. With hospice care, your loved one has a whole team by their side - doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and volunteers - all working together to make sure their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met.

Whether your loved one is dealing with cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, or another illness, we provide personalized care that respects their unique journey. This means managing symptoms and offering emotional and spiritual support, so both you and your family can find peace. Our care plans are personalized, ensuring your loved one’s specific needs are met at every stage, so you never have to go through this process alone.

Supporting Families

Hospice care isn’t just for your loved one—it’s for you and your family too. At Nueva Hospice, we offer counseling, education, and emotional support to help you through this time. Our goal is to give you the tools and guidance to make decisions that feel right, all while respecting your loved one’s wishes.

When is Hospice Care Needed?

It’s natural to wonder when hospice care might be the right choice. Hospice care is usually recommended when a doctor believes your loved one has about six months or less to live. What’s most important to know is that hospice care helps make those final months as comfortable and peaceful as possible, so you can focus on being together.

What Does Hospice Care Include?

Our care services are designed to meet the unique needs of your loved one and your family. Here’s what we offer:

Pain and Symptom Management for Comfort

We work closely with you, your family, and your doctor to create a care plan that’s tailored to your loved one’s specific needs and preferences. Keeping them comfortable is always our top priority.

Emotional and Spiritual Support for Everyone

Our care services go beyond managing physical pain to offering emotional and spiritual care. Our chaplains provide spiritual guidance that respects your loved one’s beliefs and traditions, while our social workers and counselors are here to support both patients and families emotionally during this time.

Respite Care for Caregivers

Caring for a loved one is a beautiful but exhausting responsibility. We offer respite care to give the caregiver a much-needed break, knowing that your loved one is being taken care of as you would.

24/7 Access to Our Care Team

Our team of dedicated nurses, physicians, and aides is available around the clock to make sure your loved one’s needs are met and their comfort is always prioritized.

Where is Care Given?

Care can happen wherever it feels right for your loved one - whether that’s in the comfort of home or in an inpatient setting like a hospital or hospice center. Many of our patients choose to receive care at home, where they can be surrounded by familiar surroundings and family. Our At-Home Care program brings expert medical attention, comfort, and dignity directly to you and your loved one.

If symptoms become difficult to manage at home, our Inpatient Care services provide a supportive and comforting environment outside the home — like hospitals, hospice centers, and nursing homes. We will work with the facility to create a comfortable and supportive environment where patients can receive round-the-clock medical attention and symptom management from our expert team.

Is Hospice Care Covered by Insurance?

Medicare pays 100% of the cost of hospice services for eligible patients.

Medicare is available to everyone over 65, but you can qualify earlier if you have a disability or certain conditions such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We can help you determine whether you meet coverage criteria.

Choosing Hospice Care

Accepting your loved one’s illness is difficult, but choosing hospice care can make it easier. It is important to understand how it can improve your loved one’s quality of life and help you focus on what really matters - spending precious time together. Our team at Nueva Hospice is here to support you with compassionate care every step of the way.

If you’d like to learn more about hospice care or how Nueva Hospice can help, reach out to us today. We’re here to provide the support you need.

Questions? Read our FAQ page for more information on care services, coverage, and support.