The focus of hospice care is to ensure the comfort of every patient during their final stages of life. This is achieved by relieving pain, managing other complex symptoms and offering consistent emotional, spiritual and practical support. Hospice makes it possible for patients to retain control over their medical and personal choices. Our staff provides care in the comfort, privacy and familiarity of home.

Hospice is for individuals with a prognosis of 6 months or less (if their illness follows an expected course) and who wish their care to focus on palliation (comfort measures) rather than cure of their illness or condition. Hospice care uses a compassionate, comprehensive team approach to address each patient’s needs and personal choices, as well as provide support for family members and loved ones.

Hospice East Bay provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, while offering emotional, spiritual and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, we accept all medically qualified patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay and without regard to race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), place of national origin. Hospice East Bay has served over 20,000 patients and their families since 1977. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care and exceeding the expectations of our patients and their families.

Family members of our patients are trained to confidently care for their loved one, with the constant support of their hospice team. They also are assisted as they cope with their own emotional, spiritual, and practical needs.

Hospice team members are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. It is our mission to be by the sides of our patients and their families, every step of the way, so that they do not feel alone and are ensured the best possible quality of life during the important final phase of life.

Our teams of healthcare professionals, led by our Medical Director, provide the following services at no cost to the patient or family:

• Specialized healthcare, coordinated by your doctor and our hospice team of professionals
• Medications and equipment related to the terminal illness
• Nursing visits as needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Training for your care-givers on how to keep you comfortable and when to give medications.
• Grief counseling and spiritual support for you and your family
• Assistance with bathing, personal grooming, light housekeeping, and other chores (as per care team assessment)
• Volunteer assistance to provide caregivers a rest and tend to other responsibilities
• Insurance billing to Medicare, MediCal, and private insurance providers
• Assistance with advance directives and memorial planning
• Assistance with difficult discussions with family and friends
• Education on the expected course of the illness or condition and options for your care
• 24/7 phone-in nursing advice and extra visits, as needed
• Frequent assessment of your needs
• Coordination of community resources as needed
• Help with reaching consensus on care options, planning for the future, mending relationships, and easing other emotional and practical difficulties experienced by you and your family
• Help coping with spiritual questions and needs at the end of life, either directly or by coordinating services with any spiritual connections you may have

Yes. Our hospice team works with your physician to provide the services that meet your needs. Our team includes physicians, registered nurses, social workers, home health aides, spiritual and bereavement counselors, a pharmacist and trained volunteers.

Hospice patients usually experience three distinct stages after receiving their terminal diagnosis—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Ideally, our team needs six months to escort you through this process. If we don’t have this time, then we help as quickly and effectively as possible, making sure that you are comfortable and your loved ones are supported.

Hospice team members visit private homes, apartments, board and care homes, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Patients may also be living with a friend or relative.

If symptoms are acute and not able to be managed routinely, Hospice East Bay patients have the option of receiving short-term crisis care in their home or at our premier inpatient facility, Bruns House.

At Hospice East Bay, we recognize the End-of-Life Option Act (EOLOA) as a choice available for patients who qualify for hospice services. As an organization, we chose a partial participation stance regarding this law, meaning that our Hospice East Bay physicians may not serve as attending (prescribing) physicians for the EOLOA but, if they choose, may serve as consulting physicians. Patient care team members may provide resources to patients who ask about the law and will offer emotional and spiritual support throughout the decision-making process. At the patient’s request, care team members may be present when patients take the medication, including at bedside, but may not actively participate in preparing, facilitating, or administering the EOLOA medications.

You can read our complete EOLOA policy on our About Us page.

Yes. Our highly-trained and experienced grief counselors provide support and education by phone, personal visits or group meetings. A variety of specialized groups are offered for children, teens and adults.

• Physician — Your physician (or one of ours) directs care
• Hospice Medical Director — oversees treatment by the hospice team and coordinates your care with your own physician
• Registered Nurse Case Manager — manages your physical care and coordinates other services
• Medical Social Worker — offers emotional support, counseling, assistance with advanced planning
• Spiritual Care Counselor — assists in identifying spiritual concerns, and offers counseling
• Hospice Aide — assists with personal hygiene needs
• Music Therapist — uses musical techniques to address complex medical symptoms common at the end of life
• Pharmacist — consults with the hospice team and offers expertise
• Bereavement Counselor — supports the patient and family, and continues with family members for 13 months
• Volunteers — provide companionship and many practical services, such as light shopping and small errands.

Hospice East Bay provides in-home services to all medically qualified patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. For those who do not have insurance, our staff will work with you to identify available resources. Hospice East Bay raises funds from donations, grants, special events, and our six Thrift Shoppes to ensure our patients’ needs are met.

You, your physician, or a family member are welcome to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Telephone or in-person consultations are free and scheduled at a time and place that is convenient for you.