How do I get started with hospice care?

To start hospice care, a doctor will need to confirm that your illness is likely to end your life (terminal), which makes hospice care a good option for you.

Doctors usually recommend hospice care if a person:

• Probably has 6 months or less to live
• Has visited the hospital 3 or more times for the same symptoms
• Is unable to get nutrients from food into their body (decline in nutritional status)
• Needs help with daily activities, such as walking, showering, and going to the bathroom
• Is no longer taking any medicine or treatment because it has little or no effect on their illness

Where can I get hospice care?

Deciding where to go for hospice care is very personal. Talk about the options with your loved ones and your health care team.

The 2 main types of hospice care are:

Home health care, where a nurse or caregiver visits or stays with you in your home. Consider these questions about home health care:

• Can my pain be managed at home?
• Do I have loved ones who can help care for me at home, and if so, how much time can they spend away from work?
• Do I have a strong preference for spending the end of my life at home?
• Does my insurance cover hospice care at home?

Care in a medical setting (inpatient care), where you can get 24-hour care at a nursing home, assisted living facility, or hospital hospice center.

If you are considering care in a medical setting:

1. Ask your doctor or hospital staff to recommend local hospice services
2. Consider these questions when choosing a medical setting for hospice care:
   • Location: Is it close to my loved ones?
   • Reputation: Is it licensed by the state and federal government? Are their staff and volunteers well trained?
   • Cost: Is the center covered by my insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid?
   • Communication: Does the staff reach out to patients’ families quickly?
   • Doctors: How often do doctors see the patients in hospice? Is there a doctor I trust at this center?