Could hospice care mean that it's the final care for someone before they die?

Yes: Hospice care is exactly that. You are expected to live less than 6 months when you enroll on hospice care. The goal is to treat symptoms and improve someone's quality of life, not to treat the underlying disease.

In our hospice: We as physicians have to certify that we feel pt does not have 6 months to live! that is the criteria1- however at times we recertify them at that time, when we feel our original prognosis is still present.

End of life care.: Hospice is meant for those who seemingly at the end of life, although that end can still be many months away. The emphasis of hospice care is not trying to save the life, but to give comfort to the individual as their death approaches.

Not Final Care: The decision to use the services of a hospice provider is in response to the patient's wishes for end of life care. The patient makes their wishes known to the family as to how they would like their end of life care. They can choose the full range of services from being in a hospital with everything provided to being home and supported in their care. Contact: http://www.vitas.co See more »