Pathways Hospice Care

What is Hospice?

When the focus of medical care changes from cure to comfort, those with a life expectancy of six months or less can turn to hospice for assistance. We’re the people that help you live with a terminal illness. It is our job to alleviate symptoms and give emotional and spiritual support, and our goal is to help patients live as fully and comfortably as possible for the remainder of their lives.

Hospice is a kind of care, not a place. So care is provided in the patient’s home, whether it’s a house, apartment, skilled nursing facility, or in an assisted living facility.

The Visit Team

Care is provided by a team of professionals. Pathways nurses are experts in pain and symptom management. In addition to the hands-on care they provide, they teach family members what they need to know about caring for a loved one at home. RNs are available by telephone 24 hours a day and can make visits after office hours when needed.

Other team members include a social worker, personal care aide, volunteer, and chaplain. Hospice social workers provide bereavement follow-up to support family and significant others.

Your Doctor's Role

Hospice care is directed by the patient’s own doctor, and is guided by patient and family wishes.

Hospice patients also have the benefit of our team of medical directors—physicians with specialties such as geriatrics, oncology, hematology, family medicine and long-term care medicine. They specialize in symptom management and review each patient’s care. Pathways also has a nationally recognized pharmacist to ensure your medications are optimally managed.

Integrative Therapies

Massage, pet therapy, aroma therapy, guided imagery and therapeutic touch are some of the innovative approaches that Pathways offers to supplement medical and nursing care.

Paying for Hospice

Medicare, Medi-Cal, senior HMOs, and most private insurances have hospice coverage. Pathways Hospice pays for medications, equipment, and supplies related to the life-limiting diagnosis.

Crisis Comfort Care (Continuous Care)

Pathways has expanded our ability to provide the hospice “continuous level of care.” This is for people who need extra nursing hours to control their symptoms. We have named our newly expanded program Crisis Comfort Care. Click here to learn more about this expanded program.

Arranging Hospice Care

Talk with your doctor or health care provider about hospice care and ask for Pathways as your hospice provider. We will work closely with them to provide a smooth transition to hospice. When it's time for hospice care, remember you're not alone...we're here to help.

Hospice Informational Downloads

• Basic Hospice Brochure
• Pathways - About Hospice Information Sheet
• Pathways - What Makes Us Different Information Sheet
• Dementia - When Is It Time for Hospice? Brochure
• Pathways Family of Services Guide

Contact our Intake Department if you have any questions or for more information about starting home health care services by calling 1.888.755.7855 or 408.730.5900.