There’s a common misconception that patients can only receive hospice for six months and that hospice is for those nearing their end of life. But this is incorrect. The main goal of hospice is to make sure the patient has the highest quality of life while controlling their pain, and the length of time this is needed will depend entirely on the patient’s individual needs.
Can You Stay in Hospice for More Than Six Months?
While the average stay in hospice is between 18 and 90 days, some patients will stay in hospice for even longer. The six-month prognosis requirement comes from medical insurance like Medicaid and Medicare, which require a prognosis of six months in order to pay for patients.
If by the end of the six-month prognosis, the hospice patient is still alive, the doctor will reevaluate the patient and issue another prognosis of six months. One of the most notable long-term hospice patients who helped shift this misconception about hospice was former President Jimmy Carter, who stayed in hospice care for 22 months.
Jimmy Carterβs 22-Month Stay in Hospice
In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma (skin cancer that spread to his brain), and while he received immunotherapy, he later chose hospice care over additional medical intervention to spend his remaining time with his family while receiving symptom management.
Carter received hospice care from home from February 2023 until his passing in December 2024. What was unique about Carter’s hospice journey was that his wife, Rosalyn Carter, entered hospice care with him as well until her passing in November 2023.
How Carter Shifted Public Perception on Hospice
Carter’s 22-month stay in hospice care challenged the public perception that hospice care is not just for patients who are close to their end of life. Instead, his journey highlighted that hospice care is a holistic approach to the mind, body, and soul while maintaining a high quality of life.Β Β
Chief medical officer for the Hospice Foundation of America, Angela Novas, commented on how Carterβs journey could help more people learn more about the misunderstood services of hospice care. Novas had said, βItβs been massive to have the Carters be so public, βIt has shed hospice in a new light, and itβs raised questions.β
Experts note that Carter’s public long-stay in hospice care contributed to an estimated 30% increase in hospice enrollment across the country and helped reshape the conversions around end-of-life care.
Choose The Best Hospice Provider in Orange County
Choose a hospice provider for you or your loved one who understands the complex emotions during this time. Choose Orange Hospice. Our friendly and compassionate care team is committed to making our patientβs days as precious as possible for as long as theyβre with us.
To learn more about our hospice services or if you have any questions, please reach out to our team at (741) 790-0594.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR COMPASSIONATE AND PROFESSIONAL CARE
To learn more about Orange Hospice, contact our team today at (714) 790-0594. We are happy to help you get compassionate, dignified, and tender care for your loved one.
We’re so grateful for the care our grandmother is receiving from Orange Hospice. From the start, the team has been kind, attentive, and made everything so much easier during an overwhelming time.The nurses are amazing—compassionate, skilled, and always there to answer our questions. They’ve treated our grandmother with so much respect and dignity, easing her discomfort while keeping her comfort at the center of care.The volunteers have been a blessing, giving us needed breaks while making sure she’s never alone. Their kindness has given us peace of mind.The entire staff has been exceptional, delivering supplies on time and always checking in to make sure we’re okay. Their attention to detail and support means the world to us.We can’t thank Orange Hospice enough. If you need compassionate, respectful care for a loved one, we highly recommend them.
What more can I say other then Orange Hospice is heaven sent.The staff and the genuine concern was just absolutely amazing. Their willingness to go above and beyond what was expected was beyond measure. I will forever be grateful to God for leading us to this place in our time of need. Thank you so much to the staff of Orange Hospice.
My mother went into hospice last month, though she left us way too soon, Her transition was a peaceful one with the assistance of Orange Hospice.The care from administration and the caring nursing staff with their utmost care and knowledge made our family feel very comfortable and informative every single day.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone that took such great care of Mom. .
Orange Hospice provided our family with compassionate and professional care. They made sure to provide us with medical supplies right away so we would never run out. They cared for my grandmother with attentiveness and made sure she was comfortable. The nurses and staff were very responsive and supportive to our family emotionally. They kept us informed and guided us every step of the way, which gave us comfort.
El servicio de Orange Hospice es incomparable. La rapides con que te contestan es impresionante pero lo que mas me gusta es que son respetuosos y tratan a las personas con tanto cuidado como si fuera familia. Gracias Orange Hospice
The Orange Hospice team has been taking care of my Dad and his ALS for at least four weeks now and the care has been incredibly timely and very effective. Everyone on the team is effective and has been fantastic to work with. I would highly recommend Orange Hospice.
"Exceptional Care and Compassionate Support!"Our family recently experienced the incredible support of Orange Hospice, and we couldn't be more grateful. From the very beginning, we were met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our loved one was comfortable and cared for with the utmost dignity.The nurses and care coordinators were always attentive, answering all our questions and providing updates with kindness and patience. They made sure not only that our family member was at ease but also that we, as a family, felt supported throughout the entire process.What stood out the most was the genuine compassion of the staff. They didn't just treat it as a job; they truly cared about our loved one's comfort and our family's well-being. The level of personalized care and emotional support we received was beyond our expectations.If you're looking for a hospice service that truly cares, I highly recommend Orange Hospice. They made a difficult time so much more bearable for our family, and for that, we are deeply thankful.
All the staff were nice answering all the questions that we had regardless how many times we called. They went over the process multiple times until we are fully comfortable. They also collaborated with Woodbridge Pharmacy to expedite the medication delivery services. I highly recommend to everyone who are considering hospice care for their loving ones. This would be the last place for my loved to spend time. Thank you!
I have been working with Orange hospice for some time now. My residents and families are very satisfied with the care they’re receiving. I personally observed their team effort making my clients comfortable, improving each individuals quality of life and preserving their dignity. Thanks to the friendly staff who are always warm, and professional willing to lend a hand when someone is in need.
Quiero expresar mi más profundo gracias a Orange Hospice por dar los mejores cuidados a mi abuelita durante sus últimas semanas. Desde el momento q ellos nos brindaron sus servicios estaba claro q querían garantizar la comodidad y dignidad de mi abuelita. Todo el equipo fue muy amables y profesionales y se nota la compasión q cada uno tiene. Las enfermeras eran muy atentas y cariñosas y siempre iban más allá para asegurarse q mi abuelita se sintiera lo más cómoda posible. El equipo también nos apoyó emocionalmente, y ofrecieron consuelo y orientación a cada paso. Gracias a ellos pudo morir en paz rodeada de amor y familia y en su propio hogar. Mi familia y yo siempre estaremos agradecidos por su atención y el apoyo q recibimos. Nuevamente muchas gracias Orange Hospice.
The team at Orange Hospice provided exceptional, professional care and support for my grandmother. Their reliability and attentiveness gave us reassurance through a difficult time, always making sure my grandma was comfortable and well-cared for. They were immediately available if my grandma needed anything, from medical supplies to in-person care.Everyone on the staff is kind and supportive, and you can tell they are all truly committed to their work. Our family is deeply grateful for the entire team at Orange Hospice and we couldn't recommend them enough to others who need hospice services.
The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all
I've worked as a nurse for quite some time, and I'm a passionate home care nurse. I've worked for many different home health and hospice agencies, and one of my favorite agencies to work with is Orange Hospice. I truly admire their philosophy of reaching out to the community and listening to what people say about what they want for their care. Moreover, they do put their patients as a top priority, and I see the difference that they are making in other people's lives. I'm glad to have found a good agency to introduce to people who need hospice services.
I really liked Orange Hospice's services. My mother was well cared for by the staff, they were all very caring and compassionate to my mother and my family. Thank you so much especially to Natt and the rest of the team for the loving care you gave to my family.
I positive .my Aunt would have never received the level of care that Orange Hospice has provided. I only need to text Nat and literally within hours I have whatever meds, weekly texts from.the urses in detail listing all her vitals, her conversation , her well.being alert etc. I.consider myself and our family extremely fortunate to.have been provided this level of care. Believe I have heard horror stories from my friends concerning their loved ones. My Aunt just celebrated her 96th birthday omOctober 18th. That would not have been possible withoutOrange Hospice. A shout out to Kathy for her detsiled weekly assessments . You have definitely extended her life. Thanks to all of you
This is an excellent hospice company. As a DON at one of the leading Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Orange County area I would 100 percent recommend this company. Always professional and on point. All nursing services are on point.
I can't express enough gratitude for the compassionate care my loved one received at Orange Hospice. The staff were incredibly attentive, providing not just medical support, but also emotional comfort during a very challenging time.Thank you
Orange Hospice delivered exceptional service that truly exceeded our expectations. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support during a difficult time. Their team was consistently available whenever we needed assistance, ensuring that our family member received the highest level of care. We were particularly impressed by their compassionate approach and extensive knowledge, which provided us with comfort and confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you, Orange Hospice, for your remarkable dedication and support.
Orange Hospice was a true blessing for our family as they cared for my grandmother with such tenderness and respect. The staff was attentive, patient, and always went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable and well-cared for. They also provided emotional support for our family during a very difficult time. The compassion and professionalism they showed made a huge difference, and we are forever grateful for their kindness. We couldn’t recommend Orange Hospice enough for anyone needing hospice care.
I am deeply grateful for the Orange Hospice team. The staff consistently went above and beyond to provide our whole family with comfort and care when we needed it most. The warm and compassionate environment offered our family much needed support during a difficult time and we will always be grateful for everything they did to help us during this time.
The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all
I've worked as a nurse for quite some time, and I'm a passionate home care nurse. I've worked for many different home health and hospice agencies, and one of my favorite agencies to work with is Orange Hospice. I truly admire their philosophy of reaching out to the community and listening to what people say about what they want for their care. Moreover, they do put their patients as a top priority, and I see the difference that they are making in other people's lives. I'm glad to have found a good agency to introduce to people who need hospice services.
The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all
"Exceptional Care and Compassionate Support!"Our family recently experienced the incredible support of Orange Hospice, and we couldn't be more grateful. From the very beginning, we were met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our loved one was comfortable and cared for with the utmost dignity.The nurses and care coordinators were always attentive, answering all our questions and providing updates with kindness and patience. They made sure not only that our family member was at ease but also that we, as a family, felt supported throughout the entire process.What stood out the most was the genuine compassion of the staff. They didn't just treat it as a job; they truly cared about our loved one's comfort and our family's well-being. The level of personalized care and emotional support we received was beyond our expectations.If you're looking for a hospice service that truly cares, I highly recommend Orange Hospice. They made a difficult time so much more bearable for our family, and for that, we are deeply thankful.
The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all
I really liked Orange Hospice's services. My mother was well cared for by the staff, they were all very caring and compassionate to my mother and my family. Thank you so much especially to Natt and the rest of the team for the loving care you gave to my family.
I positive .my Aunt would have never received the level of care that Orange Hospice has provided. I only need to text Nat and literally within hours I have whatever meds, weekly texts from.the urses in detail listing all her vitals, her conversation , her well.being alert etc. I.consider myself and our family extremely fortunate to.have been provided this level of care. Believe I have heard horror stories from my friends concerning their loved ones. My Aunt just celebrated her 96th birthday omOctober 18th. That would not have been possible withoutOrange Hospice. A shout out to Kathy for her detsiled weekly assessments . You have definitely extended her life. Thanks to all of you
This is an excellent hospice company. As a DON at one of the leading Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Orange County area I would 100 percent recommend this company. Always professional and on point. All nursing services are on point.
I can't express enough gratitude for the compassionate care my loved one received at Orange Hospice. The staff were incredibly attentive, providing not just medical support, but also emotional comfort during a very challenging time.Thank you
Orange Hospice delivered exceptional service that truly exceeded our expectations. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support during a difficult time. Their team was consistently available whenever we needed assistance, ensuring that our family member received the highest level of care. We were particularly impressed by their compassionate approach and extensive knowledge, which provided us with comfort and confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you, Orange Hospice, for your remarkable dedication and support.
Orange Hospice was a true blessing for our family as they cared for my grandmother with such tenderness and respect. The staff was attentive, patient, and always went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable and well-cared for. They also provided emotional support for our family during a very difficult time. The compassion and professionalism they showed made a huge difference, and we are forever grateful for their kindness. We couldn’t recommend Orange Hospice enough for anyone needing hospice care.
I am deeply grateful for the Orange Hospice team. The staff consistently went above and beyond to provide our whole family with comfort and care when we needed it most. The warm and compassionate environment offered our family much needed support during a difficult time and we will always be grateful for everything they did to help us during this time.
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