The Largest Hospice in the US: What You Need to Know

For people and their families who are nearing the end of their lives, hospice care is an essential service. In the days, weeks, or months leading up to death, it offers patients support, comfort, and medical attention. Although there are several hospice providers in the United States, VITAS Healthcare stands out as the biggest.

Since its establishment in 1978, VITAS Healthcare has expanded to become the biggest hospice provider in the nation. With more than 18,000 patients each day served, it runs in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Hospice services from VITAS Healthcare include pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care.

Depending on the patient’s needs, hospice care may be provided for a shorter or longer period of time, usually a few months. Hospice care’s objective is to comfort and assist patients and their families as they approach the end of their lives. Hospice care can be given in a hospice institution, a hospital, or the patient’s home.

When ought hospice to be contacted? When a patient has a terminal illness and is no longer pursuing curative treatment, hospice care should be taken into account. This can apply to diseases like dementia, heart disease, or cancer. In their final days, hospice care can help patients better control their symptoms and live more comfortably.

First to shut down is which organ? The body starts to shut down as a person is dying, and organs may start to fail. Which organ will shut down first is not predictable because it depends on the individual. The heart and brain, however, often stop beating last among the organs.

Is hospice covered by the government? Yes, Medicare provides government funding for hospice care. In other words, Medicare will pay for hospice treatment for qualified patients who have signed up for the hospice benefit. Some hospice providers provide financial aid to patients who are unable to pay for care, and private insurance companies may also cover hospice care.

As the largest hospice provider in the country, VITAS Healthcare provides a variety of services to help people and their families cope with the end of life. For those with a terminal disease, hospice care can be helpful since it gives them support and comfort in their final days. Some hospice care providers provide financial aid to patients who are unable to pay, and Medicare and private insurance companies may cover the cost of hospice care.