Hospice services address the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of the dying patient and their family.

Hospice services can be provided wherever the patient lives: at home, in skilled nursing facilities, adult homes, and in the Hospicare Residence. If needed, inpatient care can be arranged at Cayuga Medical Center.

Our health care professionals and volunteers are experts in end of life care. Working with each patient's own physician, the Hospicare team develops an individualized plan of care. Members of the team are assigned to each patient based on their individual needs and desires. Click here to learn more about the care team.

Hospice services also include all medication needed to manage the illness; all medical equipment such as a hospital bed, commode, and wheelchair; oxygen, and all necessary medical supplies.

To qualify for hospice services, the patient's physician must be willing to certify that, given the normal course of the disease, life expectancy is six months or less. Should the patient outlive the six month prognosis, services can continue so long as the patient's own doctor and Hospicare's medical director agree that the patient is still appropriate for hospice care.

Medicare and Medicaid, as well as most private insurance companies, have a hospice benefit that fully covers all of the services listed above.

Anyone can make a referral to Hospicare – patient, family member, doctor or friend. You don’t have to be sure about eligibility to call us. Referrals can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 607-272-0212.