When a patient’s disease state has progressed to advanced or enters end stage, especially as daily living activities grow more difficult, hospice care can offer physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial support for patients and their loved ones.

Research shows that earlier referrals and greater utilization of hospice during the last six months of life is associated with increased satisfaction and quality of life—for both patients and their loved ones. Longer stays amount to better outcomes, fewer unwanted and costly hospitalizations and less strain on caregivers.

See how VITAS impacted one patient with terminal cancer whose life was dramatically improved by the help of his hospice care team.