How Does Hospice Work in Assisted Living?

Hospice care focuses on relieving pain and providing physical, emotional and spiritual support to improve the quality of life for seniors nearing the end of life. It doesn’t include curative treatments. Services are personalized to meet each individual’s needs and include health monitoring, medication administration, counseling, assistance with activities of daily living and therapies. Hospice programs also offer counseling and bereavement support for family members.

A multidisciplinary team, which a case manager coordinates, provides hospice services. The care team typically includes nurses, personal care aides, doctors, counselors, therapists and spiritual advisors. Many providers also offer companionship visits from vetted volunteers.

Receiving hospice services in assisted living removes the stress and discomfort that often accompanies moving. Seniors can remain in a familiar environment, which likely feels like home. Usually, they can stay in their existing accommodations, complete with their mementos, while surrounded by friends and familiar faces. They can also continue to enjoy community activities if their condition allows. Furthermore, remaining in an assisted living facility is often more cost-effective than moving to a higher-level care setting. According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the median fee for assisted living in the United States is $5,350 per month. Nursing home care costs about $8,669 for a semi-private room and $9,733 for private accommodations. Although recipients of Medicare Part A may qualify for hospice care funding, aid doesn’t cover room and board costs. Many state Medicaid plans also include hospice benefits.