What Is Hospice
Facing a life-limiting illness brings emotional and physical challenges not just for the individual, but for their loved ones as well. Choosing the right kind of support can make a significant difference in comfort, peace, and dignity during this time. Hospice care offers a compassionate approach that focuses on quality of life rather than aggressive treatment, helping patients find relief and connection in familiar surroundings.
Hospice Care: What It Is & Why It Matters
Hospice is a home-centered philosophy that affirms life by making a person’s final days more meaningful. It is a distinct health care option designed to provide comfort, care, and dignity to the terminally ill instead of curative measures.
Lake Forest Hospice neither hastens nor promotes passing but eases the transition, comforting both the individual and their loved ones. Compassionate hospice care in California ensures that every patient receives emotional and physical support grounded in empathy, allowing them to spend their final stage of life surrounded by comfort and peace.
Eligibility
Hospice services are available to people with a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the illness follows its natural course. To receive the benefit, the attending physician or a hospice doctor must certify that one is terminally ill with only six months or less to live.
Key Features & Benefits
- Pain and symptom management in the patient’s home
- Emotional and spiritual support for both patient and family
- Guidance on medical decision-making
- 24/7 on-call support by hospice professionals
- Access to trained nurses, aides, chaplains, and social workers
Accreditation
Our program is Medicare and Medi-Cal certified, Accredited Commission for Health Care (ACHC) approved, providing the highest standard of care.
Cost
Hospice is a benefit of Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurance providers.
Where
Hospice services can be provided wherever the patient resides and is most comfortable in.
When
Once the patient or their authorized representative elects to be on hospice, a free assessment is made to make sure they qualify. Then, services can start immediately thereafter.
Lake Forest Hospice understands the importance of providing people with Hospice Care in Lake Forest, California and helping them transition from this life to the next in a most comfortable way as possible. Our services are tailored and customized to meet individual needs.
Circle of Care
- Registered Nurse
X
Registered Nurse
- Assess care needs of patient.
- Identify needs of family and loved-ones.
- Develop plan of care to meet identifiable needs.
- Provide symptom control and pain management.
- Coordinate team visits.
- Ensure implementation of approved plan of care.
- Medical Director
X
Medical Director
- Provides home visits.
- Co-certifies terminal illness with the attending physician.
- Leads inter-disciplinary group develop plan of care.
- Presides over inter-disciplinary group team meetings.
- Attending Physician
X
Attending Physician
- Certifies terminal prognosis.
- Assess patient needs and prescribe treatment.
- Direct and approve plan of care.
- Coordinate care with interdisciplinary group.
- Social Worker
X
Social Worker
- Assess patient, family and loved ones with social and financial needs.
- Develop plan of care for identified needs.
- Provide counseling and referrals to appropriate resources.
- Bereavement support.
Family Loved Ones
Lake Forest Hospice Patient
- Hospice Aide
X
Hospice Aide
- Provide direct personal care to patient.
- Provide comfort care and other measures topatient.
- Report identifiable clinical needs to RN Case Manager.
- Volunteers
X
Volunteers
- Provide respite for primary caregiver.
- Provide non-medical support and companionship to patient.
- Provide breavement support to family and loved ones.
- Equipment & Pharmacy
X
Equipment & Pharmacy
- Provide medical supplies and equipment necessary for patient comfort.
- Provide medication and medical equipment for symptom control and pain management to ensure patient comfort.
- Chaplain
X
Chaplain
- Assess spiritual needs of patient, family and loved ones.
- Develop plan of care for bereavement needs.
- Assist with memorial preparations.
- Provide direct spiritual, emotional and bereavement counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions qualify a person for hospice care?
How is hospice care different from regular home care?
Does hospice include emotional support for family members?
Can hospice care be discontinued if the patient improves?
Are medications and medical equipment covered in hospice care?
Is hospice care only for cancer patients?
How soon can hospice care begin after eligibility is confirmed?
See the Difference: Compassionate Care at Home
Prioritize comfort, dignity, and support with care solutions delivered where they’re needed most. As a dedicated home health care provider, we offer services that bring relief, peace of mind, and a sense of security to individuals and families alike. Reach out today to learn more or discuss how we can support your needs.