Hospice

“We will help you live until the last moments of your life.
You are not alone.”

We provide hospice services in Del Norte County, California. Our services are available to both in-home patients and residents of assisted living and nursing homes. We believe in bringing hospice care to you so that you can stay in a comfortable environment of your choice, close to your loved ones.

Our staff includes highly skilled nurses, physical therapists, and speech therapists, all ready to provide you with excellent care. If desired, you can also receive services from our spiritual care coordinator.

We aim to ensure your last days are filled with utmost comfort, dignity, and peace. We manage your day-to-day healthcare needs, allowing you to enjoy the people and activities you love.

We believe that hospice should always look to the needs of the whole person: not just the physical and medical, but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient and their loved ones. That is why, in addition to skilled nursing, our hospice services also include spiritual care services, end-of-life doula services, grief support groups, pet peace of mind services, and support for family members for 13 months after the passing of a loved one.

Services We Offer to Enhance Your Hospice Care

 

 Not sure if hospice is right for you? We made a guide that shows you 12 signs to watch for. Click the button below to download your copy today!

Goals and Benefits of Hospice Care

Peace of Mind

Hospice care offers profound peace of mind by ensuring comprehensive support and compassionate care for both patients and their families during the challenging transition of end-of-life. We help to manage pain and symptoms, allowing patients to spend their remaining time in comfort and dignity. Emotional and spiritual support is tailored to individual needs, helping families navigate the complexities of grief and loss. With a focus on quality of life, hospice care enables meaningful moments and memories, all while providing practical assistance and 24/7 access to professional care. This holistic approach alleviates the burdens of illness, ensuring that the final journey is marked by serenity and respect for the patient's wishes, granting families solace in knowing their loved one is well cared for.

Expert Care

Our hospice care offerings go beyond merely attending to physical ailments; they encompass the comprehensive emotional, social, and spiritual requirements to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families. This holistic support is made possible through the expertise of our multidisciplinary team, which includes medical doctors, nursing staff, social workers, spiritual care advisors, end-of-life doulas, healthcare assistants, and a compassionate group of volunteers. Every team member brings specialized skills to deliver nurturing care during life's final stages.

Regular Visits

The care team at Coastal Hospice collaborates closely with you to establish a visitation plan that aligns with your preferences and requirements. Available around the clock, our team ensures support is just a phone call away at (707) 460-6191, providing services directly at your residence or care facility.

Care Right Where You Live

Our patients are able to continue living in their own home, the home of one of their loved one, or their assisted living facility or nursing home facility.

Personal Support Based On Your Wishes

At Coastal Hospice, our aim is to cater to your personal preferences and requirements, offering a range of services including companionship, spiritual guidance, and even your preferred meals. Our hospice care is designed to facilitate meaningful moments for you and your loved ones, allowing you to concentrate on what's truly important to you.

Support For You And Your Family Members During And After A Terminal Illness

Hospice provides invaluable support to families, equipping them with the resources required to navigate this challenging period. Additionally, we conduct sessions for grief support and assist families in managing essential duties following a loved one's passing.

If you have questions or would like to speak with one of our professional and compassionate intake coordinators about how Coastal Hospice may be the right choice for you or your loved one, please call (707) 460-6191 today. 

Hospice FAQ’s

Question: What is hospice care?

Answer: Hospice care is a compassionate approach designed for patients facing life-limiting illnesses, ensuring they experience comfort and dignity in their final days. It's a specialized form of care that focuses on alleviating pain and managing symptoms, rather than seeking a cure, allowing patients to spend their remaining time in the highest quality of life possible. Hospice care supports not just the physical aspects of end-of-life care but also addresses the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, according to their wishes, providing a holistic approach to comfort and peace.

As medical care shifts from curative treatments to palliative care, hospice professionals step in to guide patients and their families through this transition. They work tirelessly to reduce discomfort and pain, offering emotional and spiritual guidance to ease the journey. The hospice team's role is to ensure that every patient's final phase of life is lived with respect, surrounded by care that acknowledges their individuality and honors their choices.

Choosing hospice care means opting for a path that prioritizes comfort, respects personal dignity, and upholds the value of each moment spent with loved ones. It's about making the most of every day in familiar settings, ensuring that patients can pass away peacefully, with control over their care decisions. Hospice care is a testament to the belief that the end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning.

Question:  Who pays for hospice care?

Answer: Hospice care funding comes from a variety of sources to ensure accessibility for those in need:

Medicare provides a comprehensive hospice benefit for those over 65, covering necessary hospice services with little to no cost to the patient.

Medicaid coverage for hospice varies by state but typically includes extensive benefits for eligible individuals.

Private insurance policies often encompass hospice care under palliative care benefits, though specifics can differ between plans.

For veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers support for hospice expenses, acknowledging the unique needs of those who have served.

Patients and families should explore these options to secure the appropriate support for hospice care.

Question:  Do I need a referral?

Answer: Patients can be referred for Hospice Care by themselves, a loved one, or a healthcare provider.

Signing up for services from Coastal Hospice services is easy. Just complete our online contact form or call us at (707) 460-6191.

If you are a healthcare provider seeking more information on hospice, or if you would like to discuss a specific patient’s needs and/or hospice eligibility, please call us at the number above.

Question:  Isn’t hospice only for the last few days/weeks of life?

Answer: Hospice care serves individuals nearing the end of their life's journey, extending beyond those at death's immediate doorstep. Qualification for hospice typically requires a medical prognosis indicating six months or fewer remain, yet initiating hospice care sooner rather than later is highly advisable. Early engagement allows both the patient and their family to fully utilize the comprehensive services offered, maximizing the benefits and support during this critical time.

Question: What happens if I start receiving hospice care and then live longer than 6 months?

Answer: Please be at ease knowing that your hospice care will not be interrupted. If your condition remains within the initial prognosis criteria, showing a continued but possibly slow decline, you can count on our ongoing support and care. There's absolutely no concern if your journey with us extends beyond six months; we're here for you for as long as you need us.

Question: Is hospice only for people who have cancer?

Answer: Originally, the hospice movement was initiated to support cancer patients seeking a peaceful transition in the comfort of their homes. However, hospice care has since broadened its reach and now caters to individuals with a variety of life-limiting conditions. In fact, more than half of our patients today are living with illnesses other than cancer, including heart disease, lung conditions, dementia, and the natural decline associated with advanced age, known as "debility."

Question: Can I still see my own doctor if I’m on hospice?

Answer: Of course!! Patients receiving hospice services continue to be cared for by their current doctor(s). Hospice coordinates care with your primary physician who continues to follow and support your health journey.

Question: Does hospice hasten death?

Answer: There's a common misconception that hospice care might lead to an earlier death for patients, but this is unfounded. Hospice focuses solely on comfort without accelerating death or extending life unnaturally. Interestingly, research indicates that many patients under hospice care may live longer compared to those who do not receive such specialized support, highlighting the holistic benefits of hospice services.

Question: Does receiving hospice care mean that I have “given up”?

Answer: Choosing hospice care doesn't signify giving up; rather, it signifies a shift in focus from pursuing a cure to enhancing the quality of life in the time that remains. The aim is to ensure that the patient lives as fully as possible, with minimal pain or discomfort from their condition. Instead of centering on a cure, the emphasis moves toward facilitating the most serene and dignified end-of-life experience, tailored to the unique wishes and needs of each patient.