At its core, hospice care supports inclusivity by honoring the dignity and identity of every person. Hospice serves all individuals with life-limiting illnesses while honoring the whole person regardless of cultural, religious, and personal beliefs. 

By offering personalized care and helpful resources, hospice ensures that patients and their loved ones feel supported and respected while receiving end-of-life care. 

In this blog, we’ll cover four ways hospice fosters an inclusive environment for all patients and their loved ones. 

Hospice is for anyone with a life-limiting illness

Hospice eligibility is based on prognosis, not age or disease. Anyone facing a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less can receive care. Some of the most common qualifying conditions include: 

• Congestive heart failure  
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Any type of cancer 

The specific type of life-limiting illness does not affect your family member’s access to hospice. What matters is the prognosis and your loved one’s decision to focus on comfort rather than a cure. 

Hospice supports the whole person

The hospice team supports your loved one as a whole person, caring for their body, mind, and spirit. Each team member actively meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with compassion and respect.

Through personalized care plans, hospice focuses on comfort—managing pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and other symptoms to improve quality of life. At the same time, emotional and spiritual support is prioritized, ensuring your loved one feels heard, supported, and at peace.

Hospice can offer support for family members and caregivers 

Hospice also offers ongoing support and valuable resources for family members and caregivers. The care team includes you and your loved ones in discussions and decision-making to ensure that your family member’s care honors their wishes.

You’ll receive education and guidance on what to expect, how to provide care, and how to manage symptoms at home. This support empowers you to feel confident and cared for throughout the process.

Hospice respects cultural, religious, and personal beliefs 

Hospice workers respect every individual’s cultural, religious, and personal beliefs. When creating a care plan, your loved one’s team considers these beliefs. 

Hospice nurtures a respectful and inclusive environment where your loved one feels valued, understood, and cared for during this time. Spiritual care, meaningful traditions, and culturally sensitive practices are welcomed and supported in hospice. The main priority is to make your family members feel respected and cared for. 

Northern Illinois Hospice is here to provide inclusive, compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one 

As the first hospice provider in the region, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people entering hospice for more than 45 years. Our team provides inclusive, compassionate end-of-life care for people with life-limiting illnesses.

We honor patients and their wishes by providing specialized care that treats the person, not the disease. We offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life in their final months.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and volunteers is here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support.

To learn more about our hospice or palliative services or how we can help you navigate end-of-life care for your loved ones, call us today at (815) 398-0500.