Understanding the Purpose of Hospice Care

When people hear the word “hospice”, many picture someone’s final days or hours of life. That’s a big reason why families wait too long to call us.

 

The truth? We often hear families say, “I wish we had called sooner.” Hospice is compassionate end-of-life care.

 

Hospice isn’t giving up hope; it’s about living as fully and comfortably for as long as possible.

 

Hospice can help for weeks or months, making a real difference in how someone feels and helping and supporting families through this time. 

 

What Hospice actually does

Hospice care focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life instead of curative treatments. If someone has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, they qualify for hospice.

 

Hospice provides:

✅ Pain and symptom management to ensure comfort
✅ Emotional support for people and their families
✅ Spiritual and cultural care, whatever that means to you
✅ Help with bathing, dressing and daily living care from hospice aides (typically 1-2 visits per week, possibly more as needs change)
✅ Guidance for families who are overwhelmed, don’t know what to do next and are navigating difficult care decisions
✅ Bereavement support for families as your loved one passes

 

Minnesota Hospice helps with all aspects of care: physical, spiritual, and emotional, so people can make the most of their remaining time, in a place they feel most comfortable and surrounded by loved ones.

 

Hospice Does Not Mean Death Is Imminent

One of the biggest myths about hospice is that enrolling in hospice care means death is just days away. Some people can receive hospice care for weeks or even months. Of course, time on hospice varies widely from person to person. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter entered hospice care in November 2023 and passed away two days later. Her husband, President Jimmy Carter, entered hospice in February 2023 and lived nearly two years, celebrating his 100th birthday with family.

 

Oftentimes patients stabilize or even improve under hospice care because their pain is better controlled, and they have the emotional and physical support they need. Some patients even get well enough to leave hospice care. ❤️

 

Research shows people often live longer once they start hospice care. A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found hospice patients lived an average of 29 days longer than similar patients who didn’t receive hospice care. For patients with congestive heart failure, the difference was even more dramatic: 402 days compared to 321 days

 

Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

 

Waiting too long to start hospice care can mean missing out on essential services and benefits that improve comfort, dignity, and peace of mind. Families who delay seeking hospice often find themselves in crisis mode, struggling to manage care while their loved one is experiencing discomfort and distress.

 

Choosing Hospice Is About Living Life

Hospice care is designed to help people live fully in their remaining time. When curative treatments are no longer effective, hospice steps in to ensure that every day is as comfortable and meaningful as possible.

 

Hospice allows people to:

🌿 Remain at home in a familiar setting instead of going back to the hospital
🌿 Spend quality time with loved ones without the stress of hospital visits
🌿 Receive compassionate care that honors their wishes and values
🌿 Have control over their own care decisions

 

When to call us about hospice care:

Many people live longer than expected once they start hospice care. Yet the right time for hospice is often much sooner than families realize.

 

7 signs that it may be time for hospice:

✔️ Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits
✔️ Weight loss (10% or more in the past 6 months)
✔️ Increased need for pain management or symptom control
✔️ Difficulty performing daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating)
✔️ Recurrent infections (such as urinary tract and fecal infections)
✔️ Frequent falls
✔️ A decision to stop curative treatments in favor of comfort care

 

Did you know? You can choose your own hospice provider. You are not required to use the organization your doctor recommends.

 

If you’re wondering if and when hospice is the right choice, please call us. There is always someone from our team to answer the phone.

 

Hospice Is a Gift, Not a Last Resort

Hospice makes the most of life, creates meaningful moments together, and ensures that people and their families feel supported every step of the way.

 

That’s what we do. We answer your questions, walk you through decisions, and support you when you don’t know what to do next. 

 

📞 Call us. Someone from our team always answers the phone 24/7. Just people who care. ❤️