Hospice care is specialized care for people with terminal illnesses. Its purpose is not to cure, but to provide compassionate support, relieve pain, and promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It also offers support to families, helping them navigate this stage with dignity, peace, and love.

The terminal stage is the final phase of a terminal illness or condition, when medical treatments no longer yield the expected results and the condition is allowed to continue its natural course. At this point, the focus shifts from seeking a cure to providing quality of life, alleviating pain, and accompanying the patient and their loved ones with respect, care, and support every step of the way.

• Hospice provides comprehensive care that includes pain management, visits from clinical staff (physicians, nurses, etc.), emotional and spiritual support, social work, counseling for caregivers, medications, necessary medical equipment, and support during the grieving process. The entire team works together to ensure that the patient and their family feel supported at every moment, always striving to preserve the bonds of love, connection, and closeness between the patient and their loved ones.

The hospice program is designed to provide care and attention to individuals with a terminal condition or illness, with a medical prognosis of approximately six (6) months or less of life expectancy if the illness runs its natural course. These individuals seek care that relieves pain and allows them to live the best possible quality of life, providing support for themselves and their loved ones.

Hospice care can be provided in the patient's home, at the residence of a family member or guardian, in a senior living facility, or in specialized facilities. The goal is to provide the patient with a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment, with a team that provides ongoing care and support.

In Puerto Rico, hospice services are covered by Medicare, the Health Reform Act (Plan Vital), private health plans, and some insurance companies that offer hospice coverage. In many cases, the patient or their family does not have to assume direct costs for the service. This allows the patient and their family to receive the necessary care without having to worry about the financial implications.

Although cancer is a common condition, the hospice program also serves people with terminal illnesses such as heart failure, lung disease, kidney disease, neurological disease, dementia, and other advanced conditions. The focus is always on providing quality of life and holistic support, regardless of the specific diagnosis.

Yes. If the patient shows improvement or their condition stabilizes, and they no longer meet the program's medical criteria, they may be discharged. If their health deteriorates again in the future, they may be re-evaluated for readmission to hospice and continue receiving necessary care.

Although some patients in more advanced stages may be bedridden, many others remain active within their capabilities. The hospice program supports them from the moment the need for palliative care is identified, and adapts to each stage of the patient's condition.

It's natural to feel doubt or guilt, but receiving hospice services isn't giving up; it's caring from a place of love. It means recognizing that the priority now is to provide comfort, relief, and companionship, accompanying the loved one with dignity and compassion until the end.