Hospice

Hospice care is designed to help individuals and their loved ones coping with a life-limiting illness define what is most important to them. Hospice is about making the most of each day and enjoying the best quality of life possible, usually in the place that the individual calls home. It’s about meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs to ensure peace and comfort for the patient.

Novant Health hospice services is a department within Novant Health, a world-class leader in healthcare. At Novant Health hospice, you are what matters most to us. Our goal is to add the most value to every single day, ensuring that you and your loved ones are treated with dignity, respect and compassion throughout your hospice journey. We will be here to help you when you need us the most.

Hospice provides comfort-oriented care. We accomplish this by providing the following invaluable services to individuals and their loved ones:

• A care team that includes a hospice physician, nurse, nursing assistant, social worker, chaplain, grief counselor and volunteer
• Coordination between the patient’s primary physician and the hospice care team
• Management of pain and other symptoms
• Routine nursing visits
• Assistance with bathing and personal care needs
• Social work visits for counseling and advocacy
• Chaplain services for spiritual support
• Trained volunteers
• A dedicated after-hours team
• Assistance with healthcare decision planning
• 24/7 on-call support
• Bereavement support services for loved ones

Learn more about our hospice care program and services by reading our patient handbook, available in English and Spanish.

When faced with a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis, hospice can be the best option when the prognosis is months, weeks or days rather than years. People often delay seeking hospice services for fear that the end is immediate. Studies show that individuals who choose hospice care can often live longer than those who do not. With a shift from curative to comfort care, hospice will provide physical, emotional and spiritual support for individuals and their loved ones, allowing them to focus on what really matters most.

Anyone can initiate the process for hospice care, but a physician order or referral is the first step in accessing these services. Individuals can either request a Novant Health Hospice referral from their physician, or call Novant Health hospice at 1-866-405-0358 and our admissions team will assist you with the process. Hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances.