Our care
What is hospice care?
Hospice is a special way of caring for people with a life-limiting condition, focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than a cure. It surrounds the patient and family with a full team, delivered wherever the patient calls home.
Is it time?
Hospice may be right when the goal becomes comfort.
Hospice is for patients with a serious illness whose physician believes life expectancy may be six months or less if the illness runs its normal course, and who choose comfort-focused care. Many families tell us they wish they had called sooner. Common signs that it may be time to talk with us:
- Frequent hospital visits or ER trips
- Increasing pain, breathlessness, or other hard-to-control symptoms
- Noticeable weight loss or decline in appetite
- More time in bed; less able to do daily activities
- Advancing cancer, heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease
- Alzheimer’s or another dementia that has progressed
- Curative treatment is no longer working or no longer wanted
- The patient or family wants to focus on comfort and time together
Not sure? Call (818) 839-3333. A nurse can talk through the situation with you. There is no obligation, and a hospice evaluation is free.
What’s included
Everything the plan of care calls for, at no cost to the family.
Under the Medicare hospice benefit, everything related to the hospice diagnosis is covered: the team, medications, equipment, and supplies.
The care team
Physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, visiting on a schedule built around your loved one.
Medications
Comfort medications related to the hospice diagnosis, delivered to the home with 24/7 pharmacist support.
Medical equipment
Hospital beds, oxygen, wheelchairs, and supplies, delivered, set up, and maintained around the clock.
24/7 nurse line
A real hospice nurse answers any hour of any day, and comes to the bedside when you need someone there.
Four levels of care
Routine home care, continuous care in a crisis, inpatient care, and respite for caregivers. We move between them as needs change.
Family support
Caregiver education, social work, spiritual care, and 13 months of bereavement support.
Our programs
Three ways we support patients.
Hospice care
Comfort-focused care for a life-limiting illness: expert symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, and around-the-clock nursing availability.
Palliative care
An added layer of support for the symptoms and stress of serious illness, for patients who may not yet be hospice-appropriate.
Dementia care
Compassionate, individualized support for patients living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, with guidance for families at every stage.
Common questions
Questions families ask us.
Does choosing hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice means choosing comfort, dignity, and time with the people you love. Patients often feel better once symptoms are well controlled, and hospice can be stopped at any time if goals change.
Where does hospice care happen?
Wherever the patient calls home: a private residence, an assisted living community, a board and care, or a skilled nursing facility. Short inpatient stays are arranged only if symptoms cannot be managed at home.
How much does hospice cost?
For most families, nothing out of pocket. Medicare, Medi-Cal / Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover hospice, including the team, medications related to the diagnosis, equipment, and supplies.
Can we keep our own doctor?
Yes. Your attending physician can continue to direct care alongside our hospice medical director, and we keep them informed at every step.
How quickly can care start?
Often within 24 hours of a referral. We verify eligibility, complete the admission visit, and have medications and equipment delivered, usually the same day.
What happens after a loved one passes?
Our care continues. Families receive bereavement support for 13 months: check-ins, resources, grief support groups, and one-on-one support, at no cost.
Compassionate care is one call away.
Whether you have questions, need guidance, or are ready to begin care, our team is here to help, any hour, any day.