HOSPICE

Compassionate End-Of-Life Care Wherever You Call Home

Most people receiving hospice care do so at home. For many, that means being surrounded by familiar routines, personal comforts and the people who matter most.

Cascade Health’s in-home hospice team brings medical care, emotional support and guidance directly to you - helping patients live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible, and helping families feel supported every step of the way.

What does hospice care care home look like?

When should I consider home hospice?

What services are provided?

What is expected of family and caregivers?

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What happens if needs change?

Is hospice covered by insurance?

What should I expect when I begin hospice?

Your care team may include:

A hospice nurse to manage symptoms and medications, and to educate you and your family about what to expect.
A hospice aide who helps you and your caregiver with personal care, feeding, light housekeeping and other needs as needed.
A medical social worker who offers support for emotional needs, planning, and resources
A chaplain to provide spiritual care in alignment with your beliefs, including grief care.
A bereavement coordinator who supports you and your family through the grieving process, including survivor support for a year after loss.
Hospice volunteers to offer companionship or respite.

What does hospice care at home look like?

Every patient’s needs are different, but most families want to know what day-to-day care actually involves.

Your hospice team develops a care plan tailored to your needs and visits regularly, with additional support available when it’s needed.

Unintended, prolonged weight loss.
Weakness or fatigue that doesn’t go away.
A decline in the effectiveness of curative treatments or side effects that cause more suffering than benefit.
An inability to perform normal daily activities.
Repeated visits to the hospital.
A decline in mental awareness.
A diagnosis of a life-limiting illness such as cancer, cardiac disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS or other serious diseases.

If you are concerned by any of these symptoms, we encourage you to talk to your doctor or call us to speak to a Cascade Health intake specialist at (541) 228-3050.

When should I consider home hospice?

Hospice is intended to improve the quality of life for people with a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. But there is no single sign that it may be time to consider hospice. In general, you may currently or soon meet the medical guidelines for hospice care if you experience:

Cascade Health provides:

Regular visits in your home.
Pain and symptom management.
Medication management and delivery.
Medical equipment and supplies (such as hospital beds or oxygen), plus training on how to use them.
Personal care assistance.
24/7 on-call access to a hospice nurse, including weekends and holidays.
Emotional and grief support for patients and families.
Access to respite care stays at Pete Moore Hospice House to allow caregivers to rest, take care of out-of-town business and recharge.

Care is coordinated by an interdisciplinary team, including nurses, aides, social workers, and other specialists.

What services are provided?

In-home hospice care is an all-inclusive service that provides all medical care related to the condition for which you were referred. (Acute care, such as for a broken bone, continues to be handled by appropriate outside providers.)

Your team will:

Teach you what to expect as needs change.
Show you how to provide care safely and comfortably.
Be available to answer questions and respond when concerns arise.

You are not expected to manage everything alone - support is always within reach.

What is expected of family or caregivers?

One of the most common questions families have is what their role will be.

In-home hospice is a partnership. Family members or caregivers often provide day-to-day support, while the hospice team offers medical care, guidance and backup.

What happens if I need a higher level of care?

Sometimes symptoms become difficult to manage at home.

If a higher level of care is needed, patients may transition to a setting like Pete Moore Hospice House, which provides hospital-level support in a home-like environment.

Your care team will guide you through any transition and ensure continuity of care.

Does insurance cover home hospice?

Most hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans.

Coverage typically includes:

Visits from your care team.
Medications related to your hospice diagnosis.
Medical equipment and supplies.

If you have questions about coverage, our team can help you understand your benefits.

What should I expect when I begin hospice?

Hospice care at Cascade Health begins with a conversation. A nurse and social worker visit you to talk about your symptoms, end-of-life goals, emotional and spiritual needs, living situation and other topics. They:

✅ Work with the whole hospice team to develop a care plan uniquely suited to you.

✅ Provide an overall orientation of the hospice program and share an informational binder.

✅ Make sure you have the number to contact Cascade Health Hospice at any time.

✅ Review the services of the team’s chaplain, bereavement coordinator and medical social worker. If you’d like to visit with one or all, they’ll reach out to you to schedule a time.

✅ Order appropriate medications, which are delivered to your door.

✅ Order medical equipment, such as an adjustable bed or oxygen. The equipment company will deliver and set up any equipment and train you and your loved ones in its operation.

✅ Answer any questions or concerns you may have.

✅ Create a preliminary schedule of visits that works for you and your caregiver.

You will always have control over your care plan and can request changes at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care

Hospice care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness who are nearing the end of life - an expectancy of about six months or less. The focus shifts from curing illness to comfort, dignity, and quality of life, with support for both patients and the people who love them.
Both hospice and palliative care focus on comfort and relief from symptoms. The difference is timing and goals.
Palliative care can be provided alongside treatment at any stage of illness and focuses on improving quality of life long-term. Hospice care begins when treatment is no longer working or no longer desired, and care is centered fully on comfort. It neither hastens death nor prolongs life.
Hospice is appropriate when a person is living with a serious illness and is expectd to live six months or less. Many families say they wish they had started sooner, as hospice can provide meaningful support well before the final days.
Hospice care is typically available to individuals with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of about six months or less, as determined by a physician. Eligibility can be reassessed over time as needs change.
No. Hospice is not about giving up - it’s about changing the focus of care. Many families find it allows for more comfort, fewer hospital visits, and more meaningful time together.
No. Cascade Health Hospice will provide all services related to the terminal illness that brought about the admission to hospice. Treatment for any other non-hospice medical problems may continue to be provided by non-hospice physicians to ensure the best quality of life possible.
Hospice care is provided wherever you call home, whether that’s a private residence, assisted living, or a nursing facility.
For patients who need hospital-level care, Pete Moore Hospice House offers a homelike setting with around-the-clock clinical support. The house is also available for respite and residential care - find out more here.
- All medical care related to the condition for which you were referred. (Acute care, such as a broken bone, continues to be handled by appropriate outside providers.)
- Pain and symptom management.
- Regular visits in your home.
- Delivery of all medications and medical equipment to your home - plus training for you and your caregiver(s).
- 24/7 on-call access to a hospice nurse, including weekends and holidays.
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family members.
- Volunteer assistance and alternative comfort care measures.
Hospice care includes support for the whole family. This may include education, respite care at Pete Moore Hospice House, emotional and spiritual support, and grief support both during care and after a loved one’s death.
Hospice teams are available around the clock. Families are encouraged to call hospice first, rather than 911, so the care team can respond in a way that aligns with the patient’s goals and plan of care.
You may be referred by your physician or family member, or you can call Cascade Health directly at 541-228-3050. Two physicians then must assess and certify that hospice is appropriate for you. This is typically done by your physician and Cascade Health’s medical director.
You may revoke hospice care at any time if you wish to reestablish a curative plan. As long as you are still eligible for hospice, you may also return to hospice later if you wish.
Medicare, Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan and most private insurance plans cover the costs of hospice. Usually, Cascade Health is able to bill your insurance company directly, but an intake specialist will be able to provide specific details about your insurance coverage.
Cascade Health Hospice cares for people in Lane County, Oregon, including Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Junction City, Creswell, Monroe, Veneta, Noti, Blue River, McKenzie Highway, Harrisburg, Sweet Home, Oakridge, Coburg and Lowell.