Hospice is designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments. Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
 
Hospice covers all services, medications, and equipment related to the illness, including:
• bereavement services
• continuous care during crisis periods
• home health aides
• medical appliances and supplies
• nursing services
• physician services
• spiritual, dietary, and other counseling
• therapies including pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, and more
• trained volunteers
 
Paying for hospice:
• Medicare
• Medicaid (Medical Assistance)
• private health insurance
• private pay

For more information, visit the Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care (MNHPC) website at www.mnhpc.org