Hospice of Charleston offers comprehensive pain and symptom management to all our patients. Individuals in our home health program gain the benefit of palliative care intervention without having to meet the prognosis guidelines for hospice care as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The patient selects either the hospice or the home health benefit. Treatment options remain unchanged under home health care. Hospice patients receive palliative rather than curative treatment. Our team examines each patient's individual needs during an evaluation visit. Contact Hospice of Charleston if you have a referral or any questions about hospice care.

General guidelines for hospice care:

• Life limiting illness for which cure is no longer an option
• Comfort measures rather than curative treatment
• Clinical progression of disease with expected prognosis of less than 6 months

General guidelines for hospice home health:

• Patient is homebound
• Meets skilled requirements

Guidelines for Hospice Appropriateness by Medical Condition

Articles of Interest:
Hope in Hospice
Grief Takes More Than a Moment of Silence
Talking to Patients - From Curative to Palliative Care

Uselful Link:
The Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
The Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine website provides physicians professional development, peer support, and educational opportunities in palliative care and in the management of terminal illness.