Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals with a terminal illness. Rather than pursuing curative treatments, hospice focuses on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. Serene Hospice provides care wherever the patient calls home — private residences, nursing facilities, assisted living, or retirement communities.

Not at all. Hospice is a positive, life-affirming choice that focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than prolonging illness. Many families say hospice gave their loved one more peaceful, meaningful time than aggressive treatments would have. It is a shift in goals — not a surrender.

Palliative care is comfort-focused care that can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have decided to stop pursuing curative treatment. Hospice is typically appropriate when a physician estimates a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its natural course.

Yes. Patients and families can choose to leave hospice at any time — for example, if a patient's condition improves or they wish to pursue curative treatment again. There is no penalty for leaving or re-enrolling. Our team will support whatever decision is best for the patient and family.

A patient is eligible for hospice when a physician certifies a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its natural course, and the patient (or family) has chosen comfort-focused care over curative treatment. Hospice is available to patients of any age, diagnosis, religion, or race. Common diagnoses include cancer, heart disease, COPD, Alzheimer's, ALS, and kidney failure — among many others.

Enrollment begins with a conversation — call us at 949-337-4833 or fill out our contact form. Our admissions team will coordinate with the patient's physician to verify eligibility and complete the certification paperwork. We work quickly to ensure care begins as soon as it's needed. Admissions are never denied based on ability to pay.

Yes. Patients may continue seeing their attending physician. Our hospice medical team works closely with the patient's existing doctors to ensure continuity of care and a coordinated, personalized care plan.

Yes. Hospice is a Medicare-covered benefit under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, and is also covered by Medi-Cal, most HMOs, and many private insurance plans. Coverage typically includes all hospice-related medical care, medications, supplies, and equipment. Patients generally pay $0 out of pocket for covered hospice services.

Serene Hospice never denies care based on a patient's ability to pay. Our social work team can assist families in identifying financial assistance programs and resources. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation.

Yes. All hospice-related medications, medical equipment (such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen), and medical supplies are provided and delivered to the patient's location at no cost under the hospice benefit.

Our interdisciplinary care team includes the patient's attending physician, hospice medical director, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified home health aides, a social worker, a chaplain/spiritual counselor, a nutritional counselor, physical/occupational/speech therapy evaluators, bereavement counselors, and trained volunteers. Each team member plays a vital role in supporting the patient and family.

Hospice care is provided wherever the patient lives. This includes private homes, apartments, assisted living facilities, board and care homes, skilled nursing facilities, and retirement communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Hospice care is designed to support the entire family. Our social workers and chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support, our team trains family caregivers on how to safely care for their loved one, volunteers offer companionship and give family members a needed break, and our bereavement counselors provide grief support for up to 13 months after the patient's passing.

Yes. Serene Hospice maintains a 24-hour, 7-day answering and on-call nursing service. If a crisis arises at any hour, a qualified nurse is available to respond, either by phone guidance or in person.