Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. South Coast Hospice provides comfort care when curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice. Care takes place in the patient’s home or residence in all settings and serves patients of all ages. South Coast Hospice views the patient, family, and disease process from a holistic perspective addressing the physical, emotional, practical and spiritual needs of each patient and family. Our belief is that quality of life is as important as length of life. South Coast Hospice helps patients live life, one day at a time, instilling hope for the most out of every day. We are here to help make your life more meaningful and to promote enjoyment of the people and things you have always loved.
Hospice Care
What South Coast Hospice Offers
- Maintenance of patient’s comfort, in partnership with their primary care physician.
- A highly specialized Inter-disciplinary Care Team of Hospice-certified members, consisting of
- Medical Director
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Hospice Home Health Aides
- Chaplain
- Trained volunteers to provide social and practical support.
- Family/Caregiver teaching and guidance.
- End of life education.
- Medical equipment such as oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, hospital beds, commodes, shower benches, and more.
- Medications and medical supplies related to the hospice diagnosis.
- Hospice-authorized ambulance transport.
- Bereavement support.
Where is Hospice Care Provided?
South Coast Hospice provides care to patients in their homes, where they are most comfortable and can be surrounded by loved ones. This can include residences such as skilled nursing, assisted living, residential, intermediate care facilities and foster homes.
In some instances, care may be given in a hospital when medically necessary.
- The decision belongs to the patient. Once the patient discusses their decision with their primary physician and he/she provides necessary orders, then an admission may take place.
- Should the patient no longer be able to make the decision, the person appointed as their legal health care representative, may determine the best course of care with the physician
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A doctor clasping the hand of a patient. At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice.
- Hospice focus is when life expectancy is six months or less.
- Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping aggressive efforts to “beat” the disease or have feelings of “giving up”. Our Hospice team members are highly sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient and family.
- Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance companies have a contracted hospice benefit.
- South Coast Hospice is contracted with most insurance carriers.
- We are a non-profit program and raise funds to cover the costs that exceed insurance benefits and for those without insurance. Our South Coast Hospice Thrift Store exists to provide revenue to ensure we can provide hospice care to every patient who qualifies for our services, without adding a financial burden to them and their family.