When someone has a life-limiting illness and is no longer seeking a cure, hospice helps manage symptoms and pain so they can live each day more comfortably.
At AccentCare, we provide quality, compassionate hospice services that honor patients’ values and preferences to deliver comfort, dignity and support for both patients and families.
Myths vs. facts
Myth: Hospice means giving up.
Truth: Hospice focuses on taking control of your end-of-life care.
Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.
Truth: Hospice supports people with many serious illnesses — including heart failure, dementia and COPD.
Myth: You must be in a facility to get hospice care.
Truth: Hospice care can take place wherever the patient calls home — whether that be their own home, a loved one’s residence or an inpatient facility.
Myth: Hospice speeds up the dying process.
Truth: Hospice does not hasten or delay death. It supports the natural process with compassion and expertise.
Levels of hospice care
Medicare provides four different levels of hospice care to support patients and families. Patients and families will work with their hospice physician to determine the right level of care and can qualify for higher levels of care depending on medical needs.
- Routine care (long-term)
Periodic nurse and aide visits, as well as emotional and spiritual support, usually delivered in the home setting - General inpatient care (short-term)
Temporary stay in a specialized facility for around-the-clock supervision and acute symptom management - Continuous care (short-term)
A nurse or aide is present with the patient for a continuous period to manage uncontrolled symptoms requiring close monitoring - Respite care (maximum five days)
Short stays in a contracted facility to give primary caregiver needed rest
Meet the AccentCare care team
Hospice care is provided by a team of professionals who work together to support the whole person — mind, body and spirit — as well as their loved ones.*
- Hospice care consultant
Explains services, answers questions about hospice and facilitates patient hospice enrollment - Attending physician
Directs and approves plan of care, assesses patient needs, manages symptoms and prescribes treatment - Medical director
Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in developing a plan of care
- Registered nurse
Coordinates team visits and implementation of approved plan of care, focusing on pain and symptom management and patient/family education - Social worker
Develops plan of care for emotional, social, spiritual and financial needs, including providing counseling and referrals to community agencies - Chaplain
Supports spiritual needs, provides counseling and assists with memorial preparations - Music therapist
Supports emotional and spiritual needs, providing live musical experiences, counseling and assistance with music programming for memorial services - Hospice aide
Provides personal patient care that supports comfort and dignity, offering emotional support to the patient and family - Volunteers
Offer companionship and support to patient and family through non-clinical services, letter writing, errands and respite time for family
Who pays for hospice?
Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans and veterans benefits.
Related resources
*Services may vary by location.
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