How to Choose a Hospice Provider

How to Choose a Hospice Provider

Posted On: February 7, 2021

Hospice is an important type of health care for people who are terminally ill. It’s focused on reducing pain and discomfort, and offers comfort and dignity as your life comes to a close.

Hospice care may be an option if you or a loved one has a serious illness that isn’t responding to treatment, or if you’ve decided it’s time to stop treatment. While every patient is different, hospice is generally considered in the last six months of a person’s life.

Hospice care is highly personal. Sabri Malek, MD, FIPP, leads our medical team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California, and we’re proud to partner with patients and their families to offer individualized, compassionate hospice care from our office in Pasadena.

What to look for in a hospice provider

Most hospice providers offer the same basic services, but that doesn’t mean there’s no difference between them. Some providers specialize in certain areas of need, while others offer general, compassionate, end-of-life care for all ages.

Whether you’re considering options for your own future or you’re seeking care for a loved one, it’s a good idea to compare several different providers and choose the one that makes you feel most comfortable.

Our team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California works with families to answer their questions and help them make the choice that’s right for them. We often recommend asking potential providers about their …

Medical staff

Hospice staff are medical professionals trained in end-of-life care. When choosing a provider, take the time to learn more about the credentials of the staff members who will be providing care directly.

Dr. Malek is a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in pain management. He and our team are highly trained in improving patients’ quality of life, minimizing pain, and providing comfort for people with terminal illnesses and those who are in their last stage of life.

Along with licensed medical professionals, a hospice care team may include members of the clergy, therapists, home health aides, trained volunteers, and, of course, friends and family of the patient.

Location

It’s important to understand where the medical staff is located when you’re considering hospice providers. Some providers work in specific hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, while others can travel to homes and most medical facilities in the area.

At Hospice and Palliative Care of California, our team comes to you. We offer in-home care for people who wish to stay at home during their last season of life, but if your loved one is in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living center, we can care for them there too.

Levels of care

Hospice care differs from other types of medical care because it’s usually not focused on direct treatment to cure ailments. Instead, care should minimize pain and other symptoms while improving quality of life.

Our team offers services that range from pain and symptom management to nutrition and physical therapy. We regularly care for patients with health conditions including:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Coma
  • Heart disease
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Stroke

Many hospice providers offer more than medical care to make people more comfortable. Ask your potential providers about how they coordinate medical, emotional, and spiritual support for patients and their families to ease the transition to end-of-life care.

Choosing the right hospice provider is a deeply personal decision for families. To learn more about Hospice and Palliative Care of California and our services, call our office or book an appointment online today.

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