Hospice Services | UPMC Home Healthcare, PA

Hospice

What is hospice care?

Hospice is about helping the patient who no longer benefits from curative treatment and whose goal is quality of life. Hospice treats the whole person, not just the disease, through physical emotional, social, and spiritual support. Additionally, hospice supports the family in understanding the course of illness and what to expect.

It is a medically directed, team managed program with emphasis on pain and symptom management, to allow the patient and family to live life to the fullest. The hospice team collaborates with the patient’s primary care physician and other specialists who remain involved in his or her care.

What makes hospice care provided by UPMC your best choice?

Non-profit provider
Largest network of hospice agencies in the state
Part of an integrated healthcare delivery system
Seamless transition between home healthcare and hospice services
Member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Member of the “We Honor Veteran’s Program” supporting the specialized care needs of our service men and women

What services are provided?

Support includes:

Expert symptom management to assist with concerns like pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and anxiety
Coordination of care
Medication management
Emotional and spiritual counseling for the patient and family
Medical equipment to manage safely at home
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for safety
Nutrition counseling
Bereavement counseling and programs for the family

Who is part of the hospice team?

The team consists of:

Hospice medical director
Nurse
Home care aide
Social worker
Spiritual care specialist
Volunteer
Physical, occupational, and speech therapist
Dietician
Bereavement specialist

When is the right time for hospice care?
Any person who is in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness may enter our hospice program. The program should be given serious consideration when the purpose of treatment becomes the prevention of symptoms rather than seeking a cure.

It should also be considered when life expectancy can be measured in months rather than years.

Where is hospice care provided?
Hospice is available wherever the patient calls home including private homes, assisted living and personal care facilities, and long-term care facilities. Additionally, short-term inpatient hospice care can be provided in a hospital or inpatient hospice facility.

Who can request hospice services?
Anyone can – including family members, patients, friends, physicians, personal care and nursing facilities, and hospital social service departments.

How can I get hospice services?
Anyone can request hospice care, including family members, patients, friends, physicians, personal care and nursing facilities, and hospital social service departments.

Hospice Services are available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Call one of our hospice providers listed on the right for additional information.

Who pays for hospice care?
Hospice care is available as a benefit under Medicare, Medical Assistance, and other payers. UPMC hospice providers accept most third-party, health insurance payers in the counties they serve.

Request Your Medical Record
To request your hospice medical record, contact your local provider.