Live Comfortably - February 20, 2025
By Kathie Miller
This article will help families and their loved ones understand the wide range of services included in hospice care at Goodwin Hospice. While different insurance plans and providers may offer varying levels of coverage, we put together a list of hospice care services patients and their families will find offered at Goodwin Hospice.
It’s worth noting that hospice care isn’t just about medical treatment. It extends to a variety of other important services, such as personal care, therapies, and emotional and spiritual support. These services aim to address the holistic needs of both the patient and their family members, helping to provide comfort, dignity, and assistance during a challenging time.
When choosing a provider for yourself or a loved one, ask about the types of services provided by the hospice to ensure you’ll have the coverage you need when it matters most.
Hospice care provides essential medical services designed to ensure comfort, dignity and quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses. These services address a wide range of needs, from medical equipment to specialized pain management. Below are the core medical services typically offered.
Essential medical equipment and tools, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment are provided to enhance the comfort and mobility of patients.
Physicians provide routine medical oversight, develop treatment plans, and offer consultations to address the patient’s changing needs.
Tests and evaluations are provided to help manage symptoms and support informed care decisions.
Prescribed medications are provided to manage pain, control symptoms, and treat other medical conditions.
This service prioritizes relieving discomfort and promoting the patient’s physical and emotional well-being.
This care includes hands-on medical support such as wound care, medication administration, and monitoring changes in the patient’s health.
Personal care services in hospice are designed to support patients with daily activities, ensuring comfort, dignity, and a sense of well-being. These services focus on the physical and emotional needs of patients, offering hands-on care that enhances their quality of life during the end-of-life journey. Below are key personal care services commonly offered in hospice:
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide vital support with daily activities, including bathing, dressing, and grooming to maintain comfort and dignity.
End-of-life doulas offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support to patients and families, providing guidance and comfort through the final stages of life.
At Goodwin Hospice, end-of-life doulas are a part of our best-in-class care.
Hospice care providers offer feeding assistance for patients who have difficulty eating, ensuring they receive proper nutrition and hydration in a compassionate manner.
This service assists patients with moving around, whether it’s transferring from bed to chair or providing support during walking, all while maintaining a sense of independence and comfort.
This area of care ensures patients are kept clean and comfortable, with help for bathing, toileting, and oral care. This helps enhance both physical and emotional well-being while ensuring dignity.
Care teams help reposition patients to prevent discomfort or pressure sores, ensuring they are as comfortable as possible, whether in bed or in a chair.
Therapy services in hospice care focus on enhancing the patient’s quality of life by addressing both physical and emotional needs. These services aim to provide comfort, alleviate symptoms, and support patients in maintaining their independence for as long as possible. Below are some of the key therapy services often offered in hospice care:
Complementary therapies, like massage and music therapy, help relax patients, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional well-being during their hospice journey.
At Goodwin Hospice, we offer a variety of these therapies free of charge, including end-of-life massage therapy and visits from Threshold Choir singers.
This service helps patients manage nutritional needs and ensures they receive the appropriate foods to maintain comfort, health, and hydration, tailored to their specific needs.
This form of therapy assists patients in performing daily activities and maintaining independence, adapting the environment or recommending tools to make tasks easier and safer.
Who doesn’t love a visit from a trained furry friend? Pet companionship offers emotional support and comfort by allowing patients to interact with specially trained animals, promoting joy, relaxation, and a sense of connection. At Goodwin Hospice, our visiting furry friends are everyone’s favorites.
Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strength, and flexibility, helping patients maintain their physical function and manage pain through tailored exercises and techniques.
These counseling services help address emotional distress, supporting patients and families as they cope with the challenges of end-of-life care, grief, and anxiety.
Breathing difficulties are managed through techniques and treatments that improve lung function, making it easier and more comfortable for patients to breathe.
Communication and swallowing issues are addressed through therapy, helping patients maintain their ability to speak clearly and safely eat or drink.
Hospice care recognizes the importance of emotional and spiritual well-being, providing comfort, guidance, and a sense of peace for both patients and their families. These services aim to address the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs that often arise during the end-of-life journey. Below are some key emotional and spiritual support services available in hospice care:
Spiritual guidance and comfort are provided based on the patient’s faith and beliefs, helping them find peace and meaning as they near the end of life.
Emotional support is offered to both patients and families, assisting them in coping with the stress, anxiety, and challenges that come with a serious illness and the end-of-life process.
Families receive support to navigate the complex emotions of loss, with both individual and group counseling available to help guide them through the grieving process.
Patients and families are empowered with knowledge about the illness, treatment options and the end-of-life process, helping them make informed and confident decisions.
Social workers provide practical assistance and emotional support, helping families coordinate care, access community resources and address any social or emotional challenges.
These safe spaces and networks help patients and families share their experiences, connect with others in similar situations and offer mutual support and encouragement.
Hospice care extends its services to families, providing essential support throughout the caregiving journey. From 24/7 availability to help with emotional challenges, these services are designed to ease the burden on family members and provide the care they need during a difficult time. Here’s an overview of some key family support services available:
Families have access to around-the-clock support, ensuring that help is available whenever needed, whether for medical advice, emotional assistance, or other urgent matters.
Support is provided to help families cope with grief following the loss of a loved one, offering both individual counseling and group sessions to process emotions and find healing.
Training is available to help family members provide care with confidence, teaching them skills for managing daily tasks, handling medical equipment and understanding their loved ones’ needs.
Counseling services offer emotional support for families, helping them navigate the challenges of caregiving, stress, and family dynamics during the end-of-life process.
Temporary relief is provided for primary caregivers, allowing them a break while ensuring the patient continues to receive care in a safe and comfortable environment.
Volunteers offer additional support to families, providing companionship for the patient, assisting with household tasks or simply offering a listening ear to family members.
In addition to core medical and personal care, hospice provides a variety of supplementary services to ensure patients and their families have the resources they need. These services aim to streamline care, offer convenience, and provide peace of mind during the end-of-life process. Below are some additional support services often available in hospice care:
Care planning is coordinated to ensure all aspects of a patient’s needs are met, with a team of professionals working together to create and adjust care plans based on the patient’s evolving condition.
Assistance is available in the event of unexpected changes in the patient’s condition, ensuring rapid access to the necessary care and resources.
Medical supplies, like oxygen tanks, wound care products, and other equipment, are delivered directly to the patient’s home. This eliminates the need for families to worry about transportation or availability.
Transportation services are provided to help patients and families attend medical appointments or receive care that’s related to the hospice diagnosis. This service ensures they can get where they need to go without additional stress or logistical burdens.
Certain patients may have unique needs that require specialized care, and hospice services are designed to address these circumstances with tailored support. These services ensure that patients receive the right care and respect for their individual situations, enhancing comfort and dignity. Below are some key services available for special circumstances:
Immediate, intensive care is provided for patients facing a sudden decline in their condition. This short-term support stabilizes symptoms and relieves families during critical moments.
Services are available to ensure patients and families from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds receive care that respects their traditions and communicates effectively. These services break down language barriers through translation and culturally sensitive practices.
While most patients prefer to remain at some, some patients may require more specialized or around-the-clock care. Inpatient care provides a comfortable, facility-based environment where medical professionals can manage complex needs and symptoms.
Veterans may have access to specialized services through their VA benefits that address their unique experiences and needs. This includes support for service-related conditions and benefits tailored to their status, ensuring respectful and comprehensive care.
Understanding what’s not included in hospice care is just as important as knowing what is. Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life, not curative treatments.
As such, it does not cover prescription drugs or treatments aimed at curing a terminal illness or addressing conditions unrelated to the terminal diagnosis, unless they contribute to the patient’s symptoms.
Additionally, hospice does not cover room and board in a nursing home or residential care facility. Nor does it include emergency room visits, inpatient facility care, or ambulance transportation unless specifically arranged by the hospice team.
Hospice care provides comfort and support for individuals with terminal illnesses, focusing on improving their quality of life during the end stages. It addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of both patients and their families through services like pain management, symptom control, personal care, counseling, and 24/7 nursing support. The care is delivered by a team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers, all working together to ensure a compassionate and supportive experience.
Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a place. As such, it can be provided in various settings, such as homes, nursing facilities or hospice centers. Patients are eligible when a physician determines they have six months or fewer to live. Hospice focuses on the patient’s comfort rather than curative treatments, while also providing extensive support for families, including bereavement counseling. Contrary to common myths, hospice care is covered by Medicare and most insurance providers, and early enrollment can often improve the overall experience, both for the patient and their loved ones.
For more details on how hospice care works, read our blog: Fostering an Understanding of Hospice Care.
Hospice care is available to individuals with a terminal illness who have a life expectancy of six months or fewer, as determined by a physician. To qualify, patients must meet three conditions:
Hospice care focuses on improving quality of life by offering palliative care, which relieves pain and symptoms rather than attempting to prolong life.
The process of receiving hospice care involves a referral from a physician and verification of eligibility, which may vary depending on the patient’s insurance. Care can be provided at home, in a senior living community or a healthcare facility, and includes services like 24/7 nursing and physician care, social work, bereavement support and durable medical equipment, among other services. If a patient’s condition improves or extends beyond six months, eligibility is reassessed, and hospice care can continue or be adjusted. Patients can also discontinue hospice care at any time, with a simple process for transitioning to other treatments or care options.
To read more on who is eligible for hospice, read our blog: Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?
Deciding when to begin hospice care can feel overwhelming, but initiating it earlier rather than later is often beneficial for both the patient and their family. A few key signs that it may be time to consider hospice care include:
For more advanced stages, signs include:
If a patient is also suffering from a specific disease, there are specific signs and markers of when to start hospice. Conditions such as metastatic cancer, dementia, stroke, heart failure, COPD, liver and renal disease, neurological conditions, and HIV/AIDS all have progression markers that may indicate the need for hospice care. Recognizing these signs and consulting with healthcare professionals can help families make informed decisions and ensure the patient receives appropriate care at the right time.
For more information on the recommended timing for hospice, indicators and more, read our blog: When Is Hospice Recommended?
Generally, yes. Coverage for hospice care is provided by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans, with self-pay options also available for those without coverage. However, the eligibility requirements for hospice care may vary from plan to plan and state to state. Be sure to verify your or your loved one’s coverage to know what’s required for eligibility.
For more details on hospice coverage, read the “Do Eligibility Requirements Differ Based on Insurance?” section of blog: When Is Hospice Recommended?
The cost of hospice care can vary based on factors such as the type of care, location and services needed. Generally, Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans typically cover most hospice services, including nursing care, medical equipment, and medications related to the terminal illness. However, some services like room and board are not covered if provided in an inpatient facility.
For those without insurance, hospice care costs can vary. It’s important to check with a hospice care provider to fully understand potential out-of-pocket expenses. Many hospices also offer payment plans or sliding scale fees for those without insurance. For accurate cost figures, most hospice providers offer informational consultations where costs are tailored to patients and broken down for consideration.
Starting hospice care begins with a conversation between you, your loved one and their doctor to see if hospice is the right course. The doctor will help determine if the patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Once hospice care is recommended, you’ll find a provider that fits your loved one’s needs.
The hospice team will then work with you to create a care plan that addresses your loved one’s comfort and support. This may involve in-home visits or care in a hospice facility. The team will make sure the plan includes the right services, medications, and equipment to manage symptoms. Family members are encouraged to be part of this process to ensure the plan reflects your loved one’s wishes. Care can begin as soon as everything is in place.
When it comes to hospice care services, Goodwin Hospice rises above the rest. Our mission is simple: provide the highest-quality, patient-centered care to our hospice patients and their loved ones. And we have earned a reputation for it — Goodwin Hospice received a four-star rating from Medicare.gov in the February 2024 quarterly Care Compare Care Quality Report. As the highest rating in the hospice category for Northern Virginia, we’re proud to offer this level of end-of-life care. We’ve provided it to our residents for more than two decades, and we have offered it to our community, including Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church, since 2016. Another consideration for patients in Northern Virginia is that we do not turn away patients who lack financial resources, one of many advantages to our non-profit hospice care model.
Goodwin Hospice is able to deliver the most compassionate care available because of our expert team of Medicare-certified hospice care providers with more than 50 years of experience. From physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses to licensed clinical social workers, spiritual counselors, and bereavement counselors, our team delivers comprehensive care where and when you need it most. And we couldn’t do it without our deep network of tireless hospice aides and volunteers to support the rest of the team. It’s a group that’s unmatched, and patients and families can be assured they’re receiving the best hospice around.
Because Goodwin Hospice believes everyone has the right to die with dignity and comfort, we go above and beyond to deliver exceptional end-of-life care. In addition to pain management and symptom control, personal care, social work services, counseling and spiritual support, and 24/7 on-call nursing support, Goodwin Hospice offers a bundle of complimentary compassionate services. These include our cheerful volunteers, furry pet companions, end-of-life doulas, end-of-life massage therapists and visits from Threshold Choir singers. Hospice services include 13 months of bereavement following the loss of a loved one. This benefit is structured in order to provide support through the anniversary of the person’s death.
We understand that the research involved, let alone the topic of hospice care, can feel quite overwhelming or challenging. Contact us at 703.578.7108 or HospiceReferrals@GoodwinLiving.org to ask any questions or get more details about Goodwin Hospice.
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