SERVING SAN DIEGO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES

Palomar Health Palliative & Hospice Care

(866) 206-5644

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(866) 206-5644

Palomar Health Palliative & Hospice Care
  • Home
  • Services
    • Hospice
    • Palliative
  • Leadership
  • Careers
    • Open Positions
  • Contact

hospice care

Comfort-focused care for quality of life

Our goals are to alleviate physical pain and to provide psychosocial and emotional support. Our physician-led hospice team provides expert medical care aimed at minimizing physical pain with appropriate prescription medications,  delivered to patients free of charge. 


In addition, our team includes social workers, bereavement counselors, and chaplain/spiritual leaders who serve as valuable custodians of patient and family wishes. If we do our job well, patients remain comfortable in their home environment, maintain dignity, do not feel like a burden on their loved ones as our team provides valuable support to everyone close to the patient.

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our philosophy

We focus on the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs.


We have a responsibility not only to our patients, but also to those who love and care for them.


The needs of our patients and their families are best met through the services of an interdisciplinary team.


Our patients deserve state-of-the-art medical care delivered with thoughtful consideration of their personal beliefs and values.

understanding hospice

Here are some signs and symptoms to consider that it may be time to talk to a doctor and begin thinking about end-of-life choices and options:


  • A life-limiting illness or terminal diagnosis
  • Frequent hospitalizations/ER visits
  • Frequent calls to doctor’s office
  • Frequent falls
  • Progressive weight loss
  • Profound weakness/fatigue
  • Frequent infections
  • Continuous use of Oxygen
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Increased edema/swelling
  • Uncontrolled or increased pain
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Progressive renal insufficiency
  • Uncontrolled nausea or vomiting
  • In emotional, social or spiritual distress
  • Progressive decline in health despite therapy
  • Patient and family requests no further aggressive treatment
  • Change in mental status
  • General decline


Hospice care can be provided in any of the following settings:


  • Private Residence
  • RCFE- Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (Board and Care)
  • Assisted Living Facility
  • Independent Living
  • SNF- Skilled Nursing Facility
  • Hospital


Our hospice interdisciplinary team includes:


  • Medical Director
  • Hospice Manager
  • Nurses
  • Home Health Aides
  • Social Worker
  • Bereavement Coordinator
  • Chaplain
  • Volunteers
  • Patient Advocates


Hospice is 100% covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and all health insurance plans.  Even if you have Medicare Advantage or Part D Supplemental Drug Insurance, traditional Medicare will cover all costs associated with hospice (including drugs).


Here is what is included at no-cost to patients:


  • A physician-led interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers. chaplains, bereavement counselors, and volunteers
  • Home visits by any and all members of the interdisciplinary hospice team as needed
  • Medications related to the hospice diagnosis and medications which alleviate physical, psychosocial, and emotional pain
  • Delivery of medications to patient’s home, SNF, ALF, RCFE or wherever patient is receiving hospice care
  • 24/7 nurse line and on-call support
  • Medical Equipment (ME) delivered to patient’s home
  • Supplies (such as bandages and catheters)
  • Bereavement services for loved ones for a minimum of 13 months after death



Why should I start thinking ahead regarding my treatment wishes at end-of-life?


  • 80% of people say they prefer to die at home, but only 20% actually do
  • 82% of people say it is important to put their end-of-life wishes in writing, but only 23% of people have actually done it
  • 80% of people say if they are seriously ill they would like to speak with their doctor about end-of -life care, yet only 7% of people have actually had an end-of-life discussion with their doctor
  • 59% of families of patients were much more likely to rate hospice care as excellent when their family member received hospice care for more than three days


What is Advance Care Planning?


  • A collaborative process  between health care providers, patients,  and family members
  • Ability to make decisions about future health care concerns, even through periods of incapacity
  • Thinking through one’s values and preferences
  • Talking about one’s values and preferences
  • Documenting them and sharing the information


How do I start the process of Advance Care Planning?


  • Select a spokesperson to speak as your agent, when you’re unable to
  • Consider your wishes for care based on your priorities, beliefs & values
  • Discuss wishes with loved ones, designated agent, physicians and medical team
  • Document and share copies of your decisions, with loved ones and health care providers
  • Periodically review and make changes to these documents, as conditions change


Complete an ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE (AHCD):


  • Document that allows you to designate a “surrogate” that can make health care decisions for you, when you are not able to speak for yourself
  • An AHCD is NOT about death and dying
  • An AHCD does not have to be notarized, only witnessed by two individuals
  • A State of California approved form is preferred


What is POLST?


  • POLST = Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
  • A physician order recognized throughout the medical system
  • Portable document that transfers with the patient
  • Brightly colored, standardized form for entire state of CA
  • For more information and to access approved forms visit: www.capolst.org


Why POLST?


  • Patient Wishes often are not known
  • POLST and AHCD are meant to go hand-in-hand
  • The Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) may not be accessible
  • Wishes may not be clearly defined
  • POLST allows treatment choices
  • POLST gives direction and allows health care professionals to know and honor your treatment wishes for care


  • POLST
  • California Advance Directive
  • Aging with Dignity / Five Wishes
  • California Coalition for Compassionate Care
  • California Health Care Foundation 
  • Caring Connections
  • Prepare for Your Care
  • The Conversation Project
  • Coda Alliance (Go Wish Cards)


Reach out to learn more

Get in Touch

Palomar Health Palliative & Hospice Care

Serving San Diego and Riverside Counties

(866) 206-5644

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