Hospice

Hospice provides support and care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining life. Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice exists in the hope and belief that through appropriate care, and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients and their families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. (Standards of a Hospice Program of Care, National Hospice Association, 1993.)

To aid in decision making, we offer the following general guidelines. We welcome discussion and/or questions and understand the need to review patient status and needs on a case-by-case basis.

Mercy Hospice is Medicare-certified. Working in conjunction with Mercy Hospice, the Mercy Foundation administers a Terminal Illness Fund, which provides money to help offset some of the costs of caring for a terminally ill person.