What is Hospice?
Hospice provides compassionate care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. A team of professionals supports patients and families with medical, emotional, and spiritual care at home or in a facility.
Hospice Philosophy
The hospice philosophy is centered on providing compassionate, holistic care that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals with terminal illnesses. Rather than focusing on curative treatments, hospice emphasizes pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, and assistance for both patients and their families. Care is tailored to each person’s needs, ensuring they can spend their remaining time in peace, surrounded by loved ones, and in an environment of respect and compassion.
Services Provided
To learn more about the members of our care team providing these services, visit Our Care Team page.
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Our skilled nursing team conduct regular assessments, coordinate care with physicians, and educate families on disease progression and comfort measures. They also provide expert pain and symptom management to ensure comfort and dignity for our patients.
For more information on skilled nurses, click here.
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Certified Home Health Aides assist with activities of daily living, including bathing grooming dressing, mobility support, and light housekeeping related to care and safety.
For more information on Certified Home Health Aides, click here.
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Our hospice physicians work closely with our interdisciplinary team—nurses, social workers, therapists, and chaplains—to develop and oversee personalized care plans that prioritize comfort, dignity, and symptom management.
For more information on physicians and their role in hospice care, click here.
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We coordinate and manage all medications related to pain and symptom relief. Our team ensures that patients receive their prescribed medications on time, provides education on proper usage, and monitors for any side effects. We work closely with pharmacies to facilitate prompt delivery so that families have one less worry during this time.
For more information on pharmacy and delivery services, click here.
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To enhance comfort and accessibility, we provide essential medical equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen therapy, and other necessary supplies. We also offer a variety of medical and personal care supplies, including incontinence care products (adult briefs, underpads, wipes), wound care dressings, gloves, among many other items. Additionally, we supply nutritional support such as Ensure and Glucerna.
For a more comprehensive list of equipment and supplies, please click here.
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While hospice care focuses on comfort rather than curative treatment, Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy (ST) can play an important role in enhancing mobility, independence, and communication during end-of-life care.
For more information on therapies, click here.
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Our hospice social workers provide emotional support, counseling, and guidance for patients and their families. They assist with advanced care planning, legal and financial resources, and navigating insurance or Medicare/Medi-Cal benefits. Their role is to help families make informed decisions and ease the emotional and logistical burdens of end-of-life care.
For more information on social workers and their function in hospice care, click here.
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The grieving process doesn’t end when a loved one passes, which is why we offer ongoing bereavement support. Families have access to grief counseling, support groups, and one-on-one guidance to help them navigate loss. Our team remains a source of comfort and healing for families as they move forward through their journey of remembrance.
For more information and resources on bereavement and grief, click here.
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Our dedicated volunteers provide companionship and emotional support to patients and families. They assist with errands, light housekeeping, and caregiver relief, ensuring families receive additional support when needed. Some volunteers also offer specialized services such as pet therapy or music therapy, bringing moments of joy and comfort to our patients.
For more information on volunteers, click here.
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Hospice care doesn’t follow a schedule, which is why we offer 24/7 on-call support. Our nurses are available around the clock to address urgent concerns, provide crisis intervention, and coordinate with physicians to adjust care plans as needed. Families can feel reassured knowing that help is just a phone call away at any time of day or night.
For contact information, click here.
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Our spiritual counseling services are available to patients and families of all faiths and beliefs, offering guidance, comfort, and a compassionate presence during this journey. We respect and honor diverse spiritual and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that every patient receives personalized support that aligns with their values and beliefs. Our goal is to provide comfort and strength, helping both patients and loved ones navigate this profound transition with dignity and grace.
To learn more about spiritual counselors, click here.
Levels of Care
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Routine hospice care is the most common level of hospice service, provided wherever a patient resides—at home, in a facility, or in a hospice residence. It includes regular visits from a hospice team to manage symptoms, provide emotional and spiritual support, and assist caregivers, ensuring comfort and quality of life.
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Continuous hospice care provides short-term, intensive support for patients experiencing a medical crisis with severe, unmanaged symptoms. Skilled nursing care is delivered in the patient’s home for extended periods to stabilize their condition and ensure comfort, preventing unnecessary hospitalization.
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Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers by allowing hospice patients to stay in a Medicare-approved facility for up to five days. It ensures continued medical and supportive care while giving caregivers time to rest and recharge.
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Inpatient hospice care is provided in a contracted hospital, hospice facility, or nursing home when a patient’s symptoms cannot be managed at home. It offers round-the-clock medical and supportive care to stabilize severe pain or distressing symptoms, ensuring comfort before transitioning back to routine care.