When you or someone you love is facing a life limiting illness, it can be a deeply challenging time for everyone. Our program helps patients live comfortably, with dignity, when a cure is no longer possible. From pain and symptom management, to time with family and friends, to emotional support and spiritual care, our hospice care team is your trusted partner.
When you or someone you love is living with a terminal illness, quality of life matters more than ever. Hospice services are available to individuals who choose to forgo curative treatment. The typical hospice patient has a prognosis or life expectancy of six months or less, if the illness follows its expected course. Our patient and family-centered care team identify physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during this difficult time. We provide care where you call home, whether it is your own home, a nursing facility, or assisted living facility. The earlier we begin discussing your needs and wishes for the time that remains, the more we can do to help you and your family.
Comfort & Peace of Mind
How Do I Know When to Choose Hospice Care?
Deciding whether 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 life for more meaningful time with family and friends. Below are some signs it might be time for you or your loved one to consider hospice care:
Frequent hospitalizations or trips to the ER
Recurrent infections
Uncontrolled pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting
Decreasing alertness or ability to focus
Inability to perform tasks of daily living without help (getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, walking, eating)
Increased confusion
Several falls within the last six months
Progressive weight loss
Been informed by a physician of a limited life expectancy
If the above signs apply to you or a loved one, it may be time to consider hospice care. To speak to someone about hospice care or other services provided at Mission Healthcare, please contact us now at (888) 871-0766.
Hospice services are available to individuals who choose to forgo curative treatment with a prognosis or life expectancy of six months or less. We deliver a range of hospice services conveniently and privately in the comfort of your home. Not only do we treat the patient, but also educate and train families to be able to extend that care to their loved one.
Our hospice care team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for every patient. Our care team of skilled professionals works together to assist patients and families with end-of-life needs through their entire journey, becoming part of your family.
Family
HOSPICE PATIENT
Friends
Medical Director
Our hospice medical director serves as an advisor to the hospice team, with expertise in symptom control.
Nurses
Our Nurses provide thorough symptom assessment and management and help patients & families make informed decisions.
Social Worker
Our social workers help patients and their family members access resources. We offer individual counseling, group support, and help adjusting to the illness and advocacy of the patient.
Hospice Aide
The hospice aide assists with the patient's personal care, which may include bathing, hair, and catheter care.
Chaplain
Our chaplain is available as needed to provide guidance and answer any spiritual questions.
Bereavement Specialists
Provides grief support for families of our patients for 13 months following a patient's death.
CARE FOR EVERY STAGE OF THE HOSPICE JOURNEY
4 Levels of Hospice Care
Every person and family has unique needs for end-of-life care. The appropriate level of hospice care is determined by your physician, or a hospice physician or nurse. Your healthcare provider will do an assessment to determine which level of hospice care is right for you. If you have any questions, please ask your healthcare provider or hospice nurse. As a Medicare-certified hospice provider, we provide these four levels of care depending on patient and caregiver needs. Patients may transition from one level of care to another as their condition worsens.
Routine Home Care
Most common level of care in hospice. Patient is generally stable and the patient's symptoms, like pain or nausea and vomiting, are adequately controlled.
Usually provided in the home.
Respite Care
A level of temporary care provided in nursing home, hospice inpatient facility, or hospital so that a family member or friend who's the patient's caregiver can take some time off.
This level of care is tied to caregiver needs, not patient symptoms.
General Inpatient Care
Crisis-like level of care for short-term management of out of control patient pain and/or symptoms
Usually provided outside the home, in an inpatient setting at a medical facility like a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Continuous Home Care
Crisis-like level of care for short-term management of out of control patient pain and/or symptoms
Usually provided in the home.
INNOVATIVE CARE
Our Difference
We hold ourselves to the highest standard of excellence as a healthcare leader on the West Coast. Our goal is to offer superior care and services that redefine industry standards, exceed patients' expectations in a caring, convenient, and cost-effective manner.
Navigating a serious illness is often just as difficult for the family as it is for the patient. Many patients and families who have received hospice services wish they had taken advantage of hospice sooner. There are many benefits of hospice care, the earlier a person begins hospice, the more it can help. There are many benefits to choosing hospice care, both for our patients and their loved ones.
Give your loved one the opportunity to make the most of their remaining time
Ensure your loved one is peaceful and comfortable with expert medical care
Personalized care and support to relieve family caregivers
24/7 support for the patient & family, even on weekends and holidays
Offers a comfortable and familiar environment in the comfort of your home
Hospice costs are typically 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance
Trips to the hospital can be avoided with high-quality, coordinated hospice care
Counseling & bereavement support for surviving family members
HOSPICE ASSESSMENT
Is It Time for Hospice?
For many, the word hospice brings up thoughts of giving up or losing your loved one. However, hospice care is focused on maximizing life by providing patients with comfort and support, allowing them to live an alert, pain-free life as fully as possible. Take our quiz to learn more about whether or not you or your loved one might benefit from hospice care.
Deciding whether and when to start hospice can be a difficult decision, and it may cause people to feel confused or overwhelmed. Explore answers to frequently asked questions about hospice care and its potential benefits.
Where does hospice care take place?
Hospice care can be provided in many settings — a private home, a nursing home, assisted living facility, or a hospital.
When is the right time to ask about hospice?
Now is the best time to learn more about hospice and ask questions about what to expect. It’s important to talk with your doctor about your illness and how your disease is progressing. Starting hospice early may be able to provide months of meaningful care and quality time with loved ones.
How does hospice care begin?
You may ask your physician to submit a referral. After your physician refers you to hospice care, our hospice admissions team will contact you within 24 hours to set up a visit that’s convenient for you. You and your family will meet with an admissions nurse to determine your needs and discuss an individualized care plan.
Who pays for hospice?
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances cover hospice services.
What services are provided with hospice care?
Our interdisciplinary hospice team
Manages the patient’s pain and symptoms
Assists the patient with the emotional and psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying
Provides needed medications, medical supplies, and equipment
Coaches the family on how to care for the patient
Delivers special services like physical therapy, speech therapy, and even music and art therapy
Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time
Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends.
What role do volunteers play in hospice care?
Volunteers are available to provide additional support to you and your family. Volunteers can give respite, companionship and emotional support and can assist with errands, transportation, light housekeeping, and daily activities.
What’s the difference between transitional and hospice care?
Transitional and hospice are similar in that they both focus on comfort and quality of life. Transitional care is provided to manage symptoms, determine goals of care and assist in advance care planning while you are still undergoing treatment. Transitional care can be received by patients at any time and at any stage of an illness, whether it be life-limiting or not. Hospice care is often chosen when the burden outweighs the benefit of ongoing treatments intended to cure and when life expectancy is six months or less.
Should I include hospice care in my Advanced Care Planning?
Yes! Advance care planning involves making decisions ahead of time about the health care you would want to receive at the end of life.
Who qualifies for hospice care?
You qualify for hospice care if your physician certifies that you’re terminally ill (with a life expectancy of 6 months or less and you accept comfort care instead of care to cure your illness.
Is hospice available “after hours?”
Our hospice care team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on holidays. It’s important that our patients and families can get in touch with us right away.
Will the doctor still be involved in my care?
Yes. Your doctor will play a crucial role in the hospice team working closely with hospice to develop a plan of care that best meets your individual needs and those of your family and caregivers. In addition, the hospice nurse will keep your doctor regularly informed about your condition and any changes that take place.
Can we stop hospice care?
Yes, any patient can go off hospice at any time. You can also come back to hospice if circumstances change.
Does hospice support families after the loss of a loved one?
A benefit of hospice care is bereavement support for families and friends. Mission Healthcare provides phone calls, support groups and counseling for families after a death.
Does accepting hospice mean giving up hope?
Absolutely not! Mission Healthcare can help you and your loved ones address your fears and concerns. We believe that entering hospice means that you may no longer be hoping for a cure, but that you are now hoping for the best quality life. With hospice, the focus shifts toward physical comfort and peace of mind during the final stages of life.
CONTACT US TODAY
Get Started with Hospice
We know you have a choice. We offer in-home care around the clock with nurses on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or your loved one feel it’s time for hospice care, our clinicians are dedicated to delivering quality care and helping you and your family. Find a location near you.
With a footprint in 7 states, we deliver care in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Mission Healthcare offers a full range of home health, hospice, and our Journey Care Program services, all centered on meeting the needs of the patient and their family.
If you or a loved one could benefit from skilled home health care, hospice care, or our Journey Care Program, our experienced team provides a customized, comprehensive, patient-centric program of care and support. Easily search by location to find services near you.
