What hospice is — and isn't
Whole-person care focused on comfort when a cure is no longer the goal.
What hospice care actually looks like
Adult hospice services
Our interdisciplinary team brings coordinated clinical, personal, emotional, and spiritual support wherever the patient calls home.
Nursing care
Regular visits from hospice nurses who manage symptoms, adjust medications, and keep families informed.
Symptom & pain management
A plan focused on comfort — so patients can rest, talk with family, and feel like themselves.
Personal care assistance
Hospice aides help with bathing, dressing, and daily tasks, easing the load on family caregivers.
Social work & counseling
Help navigating decisions, benefits, and the emotional weight of a serious illness.
Spiritual care
Chaplain support for people of any faith or none, on their own terms.
Bereavement support
Grief support for families for up to thirteen months after a loss.
What hospice involves
• Emotional and psychological support for patients and families
• Spiritual support tailored to beliefs and preferences
• Education and coaching for family caregivers
Where hospice is provided
• Nursing and assisted living facilities
• Group homes
• Hospitals and inpatient settings (as needed)
Levels of hospice care
Ongoing hospice visits wherever the patient lives.
Continuous Care
Short-term, intensive support at home for uncontrolled symptoms.
General Inpatient Care
Inpatient management when symptoms cannot be safely controlled at home.
Respite Care
Short-term inpatient care to provide rest for family caregivers.
The hospice team
• Hospice Registered Nurses & Licensed Practical Nurses
• Certified Nursing Assistants / Home Health Aides
• Social Workers
• Spiritual Counselors / Chaplains
• Bereavement Support Specialists
• Therapists (Physical, Occupational, Speech as appropriate)
• Child Life Specialist (for pediatric programs)
• Hospice Volunteers
Additional hospice services
• Medical equipment delivery (e.g., hospital bed, oxygen, mobility devices)
• Hospice care supplies (e.g., wound care, incontinence, comfort items)
• Bereavement support for family members and caregivers
• 24/7 nurse availability for urgent questions and support
Hospice does not provide 24-hour "live-in" care, but nurses are on-call day and night, and visits can be increased when needs change.
Eligibility for hospice
• A physician certifies a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less;
• The focus of care shifts from cure to comfort and quality of life;
• The patient or legal decision-maker elects hospice services.
Who pays for hospice services?
• Medicare and Medicare HMO (Part A)
• Nevada Medicaid and Medicaid HMO
Many contracted private insurance plans also cover hospice. Some commercial policies may require a co-pay or deductible. Our team will verify coverage and explain benefits before admission.
Planning ahead
Advance directives
An advance directive lets you put your future medical wishes in writing and name someone you trust to speak for you if you're unable to. Our social workers can walk you through the Nevada forms at no cost — there's no obligation to have one in place before you start hospice.
Your rights as a hospice patient
You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to know your diagnosis and prognosis, to take part in every care decision, to choose or change your care team, and to receive care free from discrimination. Our staff can explain these rights in full at admission.