When a patient is enrolled in hospice care, the length of time they spend in the program varies on a case-by-case basis. Hospice care is intended for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, and as such, some patients may only be on hospice for a few days or weeks. However, others may be on hospice care for several months or even a year. The duration of time a patient spends on hospice care is influenced by factors such as the severity and progression of their illness, the effectiveness of their symptom management, and their personal preferences and goals for end-of-life care. The goal of hospice care is to provide patients with compassionate care and support during the end of their lives, however long that may be.

Hospice Care vs Palliative Care

The difference between hospice are and palliative care can often seem confusing. This is because both types of care are directed toward providing compassionate comfort for patients. The difference between the two has to do with the seriousness of the illness. While palliative care is meant to manage the symptoms of someone living with a serious illness, hospice care is for people at the end of life and focused on making them feel more comfortable. Patients do not qualify for hospice care unless they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given a prognosis of six months or less.

How Long Does Hospice Care Last?

While it is meant for people who have six months or less to live, hospice care often lasts longer than that. Because this type of care lasts until the patient’s death, and there is no way for a prognosis to be specific, it is hard to know how long a patient will be in hospice. There are statistics that can give a general idea about the answer to this question, so let’s discuss those.

Some people stay in hospice for a significant length of time. About 12 to 15 percent of hospice patients live for six months or longer. However, half of patients pass within three weeks of beginning hospice care. This is a wide disparity and has to do with the individual patient. People who are younger than 65 years of age often survive longer than older people. People who are admitted to hospice directly from an extended hospital stay, however, have a 95 percent likelihood of passing away within six months.

Trust Agape Hospice for Thoughtful Care

If you are looking for compassionate hospice care for your loved one, Agape Hospice NW is a wonderful option. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Agape strives to help our patients to live the remainder of their lives to the fullest, by improving the quality of life not only for our patients but also for their families. The Joint Commission is nationally recognized as the gold standard in health care, and Agape has met the organization’s enhanced requirements for patient safety and quality of care. We provide social workers, spiritual counselors, volunteers, bereavement counselors, and certified hospice aides, all under the direction of a medical director who is responsible for ensuring that the patient’s wishes are honored, and each patient is receiving the highest level of care. We also provide registered nurses experienced in helping during this emotional time, as well as assessing the needs of the patient. For more information about how we can help, call (503) 628-9595 or contact us through our website.

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