Since 1988, Niagara Hospice has provided expert care & support to Niagara County families facing a terminal illness through symptom management, caregiver relief & end-of-life guidance. Hospice is a way of caring for patients with end-of-life illnesses and supporting their family & loved ones through the illness and dying process. Niagara Hospice has been providing end-of-life care since 1988. As the only hospice provider in Niagara County, our staff and volunteers take pride in their compassionate service to others. Hospice care is appropriate for people with any advanced stage illness, not just cancer, where the prognosis is a life expectancy of approximately six months or less - if the illness runs its normal course. Some patients receive hospice care beyond six months. In fact, studies show that people with end-of-life illnesses who choose hospice care often live longer than patients who do not elect hospice services. The majority of hospice patients are cared for in the comfort of their own home or their caregiver's home, but they may also receive care in nursing or adult care homes, in the hospital or at Niagara Hospice House. Hospice referrals are made by family, friends, neighbors, staff at health care facilities, ministers, and doctors. If a person is found to be appropriate after an initial consultation, a physician order is required for admission into the program. Most health insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Long Term Care programs, and the Veterans Administration (VA) have hospice coverage. No one is denied care due to ability to pay. The patient's comfort, dignity and choices come first, and the Niagara Hospice team helps them achieve their personalized goals. The hospice team consists of: • Physicians • Clinical Pharmacists • Nurses • Medical Social Workers • Spiritual Care Coordinators • Massage Therapists • Hospice Aides • Homemakers • Trained Volunteers • Allied Therapists and Support Staff • Bereavement Counselors