Understanding Hospice Care ANITA BRIKMAN: Many people have heard the term hospice, but most don't really understand what it means. Yes, hospice provides care for people with a terminal illness. But hospice isn't only about dying. Hospice is about living as fully as possible for as long as possible with a team of compassionate people focused on alleviating suffering and pain. Hospice care brings comfort, dignity, and peace to help people with a life-limiting illness and provide support for their family and friends who love and care for them. J DONALD SCHUMACHER: You know, the research shows that some patients actually improve when they enter hospice. It's because of the intensity of the care. And because people have stopped some of the treatments that often make them feel a lot more ill than they had been feeling. ANITA BRIKMAN: Here are 10 things about hospice you should know if you or a loved one is facing a serious illness. Hospice is not a place. It is high quality medical care focused on comfort and quality of life. Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans and usually doesn't cost the patient anything. Hospice serves anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age, type of illness, who you are, or where you live. Hospice serves people of all backgrounds and traditions. The core values of hospice allowing the patient to be with family, including spiritual and emotional support, treating pain, these cut across all cultures. Research has shown the majority of Americans would prefer to be at home at the end of their lives. Hospice makes this possible for most people. Hospice also serves people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. And hospice patients and families can receive care for six months or longer. A person can keep his or her referring physician while getting hospice care. Hospice offers grief and bereavement counseling to the family and to the larger community. To get the most out of what hospice can offer, it's better to have care for more than just a few days. J DONALD SCHUMACHER: You know, you actually don't have to be imminently dying to receive hospice services. It's a benefit that we designed to care for people during the last six months of their lives. A person can remain in hospice services with certification from your doctor that you are still in fact terminally ill. ANITA BRIKMAN: The best time to learn more about these hospice facts is before someone in your family is facing a health care crisis.