What to know about hospice and palliative care in Wisconsin
Hospice care in Wisconsin is often underutilized due to misconceptions about its purpose and benefits. Experts recommend that patients and families discuss hospice care options earlier and ask providers about eligibility and services.
Hospice care is a type of care that focuses on making patients more comfortable instead of trying to cure their illness. It is not a place, but a model of care that can be provided at home, in nursing homes, or in hospitals. To be eligible for hospice care under Medicare, patients must have a life expectancy of six months or less and be willing to pursue comfort treatments instead of life-extending treatments. Palliative care is a related specialty that focuses on alleviating suffering and can be accessed earlier in a patient's diagnosis. Experts recommend asking providers about hospice and palliative care options and choosing a provider that has experience serving the local community.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.