Partnering with Healthcare Providers: How Elation Hospice & Palliative Care Supports You

Supporting Providers in Delivering Compassionate End-of-Life Care

Caring for patients with a terminal illness involves more than managing symptoms—it means preparing both the patient and their loved ones for the final stage of life with clarity, comfort, and dignity.

At Elation Hospice & Palliative Care, we collaborate closely with healthcare providers to ensure patients receive exceptional support once curative treatment is no longer effective. Our shared goal is to create a seamless continuum of care that prioritizes comfort, quality of life, and peace of mind for patients and their families.

Hospice & Palliative Care Eligibility

While the decision to begin hospice or palliative care rests with the patient and their family, the initial referral typically comes from the attending physician. We support providers in identifying appropriate candidates by offering guidance on commonly used clinical indicators.

Key Considerations for Hospice Referral May Include:

• A terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less
   
• A decision to discontinue curative or life-prolonging treatments
   
• Unintentional weight loss of 10% or more over the past six months
   
• A noticeable decline in physical function or performance, such as reduced ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), often measured by the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)
   
• Frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits in recent months
   
• Progressive cognitive decline or decreased mental status
   

By referring patients at the appropriate time, providers can help ensure their patients receive the full benefit of hospice or palliative services—reducing suffering, supporting caregivers, and maintaining dignity through the end-of-life journey.

At Elation Hospice & Palliative Care, we provide comprehensive hospice and palliative care services designed to support individuals nearing the end of life, as well as those living with serious illnesses who require ongoing comfort and assistance.

A core focus of our hospice care is pain and symptom management. While curative treatments may have ended, patients continue to receive medications and therapies that ease discomfort and enhance quality of life.

We also offer respite care, providing temporary relief for family caregivers. This short-term support allows caregivers to rest and recharge while ensuring their loved one continues to receive compassionate, professional care. Respite care helps prevent burnout and allows families to spend more meaningful time together, focusing on connection rather than daily care responsibilities.

Our services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that patients and families have access to expert medical support, emotional care, companionship, and spiritual guidance whenever needed. For those still undergoing treatment and not eligible for hospice, palliative care offers an ideal solution—providing comfort-focused care alongside curative therapies in the home or preferred setting.

At Elation Hospice, we are committed to honoring each patient’s journey with dignity, comfort, and personalized care.

Hospice care is primarily covered by Medicare Part A, meaning most Medicare beneficiaries receive hospice services with little to no out-of-pocket cost. Medicaid and many private insurance plans also offer coverage for hospice and palliative care, depending on individual policy terms.

Although hospice is designed for patients with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of six months or less, coverage is not strictly limited to that timeframe. As long as a physician continues to certify that the patient meets eligibility criteria, hospice services can be extended as needed based on the patient’s condition and care requirements.

Hospice benefits generally include:

• Regular visits from hospice professionals, including nurses, home health aides, counselors, social workers, and trained volunteers
   
• Medical equipment (e.g., hospital beds, oxygen tanks)
   
• Supplies related to the terminal diagnosis (e.g., bandages, gloves)
   
• Medications for pain and symptom management
   
• Emotional, spiritual, and bereavement support for patients and families
   

For questions about coverage or financial assistance, Elation Hospice & Palliative Care is here to help guide you through the process and ensure your loved one receives the care they need without added financial stress.

At Elation Hospice & Palliative Care, our team is made up of compassionate professionals from a range of disciplines, all united by a shared mission—to deliver respectful, personalized care to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. Each member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our patients and their families.

When a patient enters hospice or palliative care, our hospice medical director oversees the coordination of a comprehensive care plan, ensuring that every aspect of support—medical, emotional, and practical—is in place.

Our interdisciplinary care team may include:

• Hospice nurses – Providing skilled clinical care, pain and symptom management
   
• Hospice aides – Assisting with personal care and daily living activities
   
• Social workers – Offering emotional support, resource coordination, and counseling
   
• Physicians – Overseeing and adjusting the patient’s care plan as needed
   
• Therapists – Including physical, occupational, and speech therapists to support quality of life
   
• Counselors – Assisting patients and families with emotional and psychological care
   
• Chaplains – Providing spiritual guidance and end-of-life support
   
• Hospice volunteers – Offering companionship, caregiver relief, and practical assistance
   

Together, we provide comfort-focused, whole-person care that honors each patient’s unique journey and offers peace of mind to those who love them.