Hospice Is a Philosophy, Not a Building

Article submitted by Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh Comfort Care of Irwin, PA.
For more information, they can be reached at 724-744-3323, or visit their website: www.PittsburghHospice.com.

Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life. Hospice offers compassionate care to individuals with incurable diseases. Hospice is family centered care that addresses physical, spiritual, emotional and practical needs of the patient and their loved ones. Hospice exists in the hope that through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring community, patients and families may be free to attain mental and spiritual preparation for death. Hospice care does not end with the patient's death; rather, it continues with at least one year of bereavement counseling for the family and other loved ones.

Although many hospice patients have cancer, people with congestive heart failure, lung or liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other life limiting illnesses are also eligible for hospice services. Hospice professionals can do evaluations to determine which patients fit into these categories.
Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurances pay the cost of hospice. This includes physician services, nursing care, medical supplies, prescription drugs for pain relief and counseling related to the diagnosis.

The patient and/or family members should feel free to discuss hospice services at any time with their physician or they can call the Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh Comfort Care at 1-800-865-7153 to obtain free advice on how and when to secure services. You may also visit www.pittsburghhospice.com for more educational information.