Hospice is a philosphy of care rather than a place (though there can be hospice residences) and that care can be provided in a variety of settings.

One place that isn’t commonly thought of for hospice care is in a nursing home.

Nursing homes usually have the image of skilled nursing care or rehabilitation rather than actively supporting the dying process. Though some people argue that it’s a duplication of services, nursing home patients can receive hospice care.

Nursing home staff can be stretched thin and since a hospice patient requires even more care than a typical nursing home patient. Though many nursing homes believe their staff can fill this role, it makes sense for a specially trained team to enhance and complement the nursing home to improve end of life care.

The hospice team is more than one trained person. The team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, home health aides, bereavement counselors and volunteers. They help patients live out their final days with dignity and with as much physical comfort as possible.

Hospice care in the nursing home also reduces end-of-life hospitalizations which can be both stressful and costly and negatively affect a person’s remaining quality of life.

Medicare has a hospice benefit for those eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), but it is important for beneficiaries to look closely at the benefits when someone is in a nursing home bed that is already covered by Medicare.