Hospice Care in Ramsey County, MN, MN

What is hospice care?

Hospice care is specialized support for individuals facing a life-limiting illness who are no longer seeking aggressive treatment. A doctor can place a referral when they believe that life expectancy is six months or less. Hospice care includes physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients and their families. Our dedicated, highly-skilled team surrounds you and your loved ones with support, ensuring that no one walks this journey alone.

How does hospice care work?

Hospice typically begins when a doctor determines a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its natural course, but this timeframe may vary. Services are provided wherever the patient calls home—this could be a private residence, nursing home, or residential hospice facility.

Who qualifies for hospice?

Patients must meet medical eligibility criteria, including a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less and a decision to forgo curative treatments. Conditions like dementia, cancer, and heart failure commonly qualify.

Is hospice care covered by Medicare of insurance?

Yes. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers cover hospice care, including medical equipment, nursing visits, medications for symptom management, and emotional support services. Many private insurers also cover hospice services fully or with minimal out-of-pocket costs. For those who qualify, financial assistance for hospice services may be available through charitable care.

What is routine home care?

Routine home care is the most common and frequent type of hospice care. Hospice team members support you, your family and your caregiver(s), in your residence. Your residence may be a private home, assisted living facility or nursing home. Many people on hospice will only need routine home care.

What hospice services are provided at home?

Hospice provides nursing care, pain and symptom management, medications, equipment (like hospital beds or oxygen), social work support, spiritual care, personal care, volunteer visits, and grief counseling for families.

What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?

With the ultimate goal of alleviating symptoms and providing the best possible quality of life, palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness—even during curative treatment. Hospice is a type of palliative care for patients at the end of life who are no longer seeking curative care.

When is hospice appropriate for dementia?

Hospice care may be appropriate for individuals with advanced dementia when they are no longer able to communicate clearly, recognize loved ones, eat independently, or move around without assistance.