For patients and caregivers in San Diego dealing with a serious or life-limiting illness (such as cancer, Alzheimers, end-stage heart or end-stage lung disease, and severe birth defects), resources like hospice and palliative care can help. It involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. The goal is to help the patient and the patient’s family members live the best quality of life possible, for as long as life lasts – whether that’s weeks, months, or years.

Care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals all working together with the patient, the patient’s physician, and the patient’s family members. The team makes intermittent visits to a patient’s home - or anywhere a patient calls “home” - such as nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, as well as in freestanding hospice centers and hospitals.  And hospice care is very affordable, as it is covered under Medicare, Medi-Cal (Medicaid), most private insurance plans and HMOs.

Are all hospices the same?

It’s important to know that not all hospices are the same. Although the philosophy of hospice care is similar among service providers, hospice programs can differ in the services and treatments that are offered to patients and their family members – even among hospice programs in the same community. Currently, there are approximately 17 different hospice programs in San Diego County, all independent of each other, and operating as either a for-profit or not-for-profit organization. For example, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine is the original not-for-profit hospice program in San Diego and North County (since 1977), and considered the most comprehensive hospice and palliative care program for adults and children in the region.

You have a choice.

In most cases, individuals can choose which hospice program to receive services from and can let their doctor know which hospice program they would like to receive services from. Organizations like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization provide an online directory to locate a member hospice program in your area. You can also ask your doctor or healthcare provider about what hospice programs are available.

It is understandable that hospice care is a difficult subject to discuss. And because of the myths and misconceptions surrounding hospice care, many think of hospice as giving up hope. For the thousands of patients and families who have received hospice care, they share that hospice can help redefine hope.  Programs like San Diego Hospice can offer:

• hope that a secure, familiar care setting can be enjoyed.
• hope for freedom from fears of isolation, abandonment, loneliness, loss of control and physical pain.
• hope that the family will be nurtured and supported, even after the death of the patient, through bereavement services.

More information is available from the San Diego Hospice website, online referral form, or by calling toll-free at 1-866-688-1600.