In what situations might hospice care be an option?

A hospice (from the Latin word for “hostel”) is a facility that provides end-of-life care. A hospice is usually an inpatient care facility that has beds and is organized like a nursing home.

Medical care is provided in various ways: Some hospices work with local private practitioners. In other arrangements, the patient’s previous doctors (primarily primary care physicians and outpatient specialists) may continue to provide medical care to the patient within the hospice. In hospice care, the focus is on symptom relief and support during the end-of-life phase.

In addition to supporting the dying person, care is also provided for family members in the form of grief counseling. Care in a hospice is considered when symptom management and end-of-life care at home (despite existing outpatient palliative care measures) are insufficient. Hospice services have evolved and diversified in recent years: In addition to traditional inpatient hospices, semi-inpatient and outpatient hospices have emerged that implement a comprehensive approach to end-of-life and grief support. Residential hospices, in particular, have limited capacity, so it is recommended to consider this care option early on and to contact suitable hospices.