Hospice and Palliative Care Services

In addition to assistance with all activities of daily living that we provide, at any given time several residents living at Colten Adult Care are receiving either hospice or palliative care through an outside hospice company, which typically utilizes an interdisciplinary team approach (coordination among various healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and more) to ensure that all aspects of care are integrated and aligned with our resident’s and their family’s wishes. Typically, a resident also receives assistance with medication, equipment & supplies.

Hospice and palliative care both focus on improving the quality of life for our seriously ill residents and their loved ones during a challenging time by providing support in a multitude of areas including a combination of some or all of these services: medical & nursing care, pain & symptom management, emotional & spiritual care, personal care & assistance as well as social work services and bereavement support, but differ in the following ways:

Palliative Care

• Can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, even while receiving curative treatment.

• Aims to relieve symptoms (pain, nausea, breathlessness, stress) and improve overall well-being.

• Provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments.

• Can be offered in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, or at home.

• Available to individuals with any serious illness, such as cancer, heart failure, or chronic respiratory disease.

Hospice Care

• Specifically for individuals with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of usually six months or less (as determined by a doctor).

• Focuses on comfort care, rather than curative treatment.

• Often provided at home, in hospice centers, nursing homes, or hospitals.

• Includes medical, emotional, and spiritual support for both the patient and their family.

In other words, palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness, regardless of their life expectancy. It helps manage symptoms (like pain or nausea) and improve quality of life while a person is still receiving treatments aimed at curing their illness. Hospice on the other hand is for people who are nearing the end of their life (usually with six months or less to live) and are no longer seeking a cure. The focus is entirely on comfort, pain relief, emotional support and dignity rather than treatments to prolong life.

Costs

Hospice care is fully covered by Medicare Part A under the hospice benefit for eligible individuals with a prognosis of usually six months or less, while palliative care is covered as part of regular Medicare benefits (either under Part A or Part B), but it isn’t a separate Medicare program. If you or a loved one is considering these options, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider or a Medicare representative to understand the specifics of your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re considering hospice care or have questions about available services, it’s a good idea to contact local hospice providers who can offer detailed information tailored to your specific situation. We would be happy to recommend some of our favorites.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call Karina Figueroa at 480.518.5238 or visit our contact us page.