patient and loving caregiver at home

Hospice Care

Compassionate Care

When medical treatments no longer offer a cure, Hospice Care offers a special way to care for you and your family who are faced with a life-limiting illness. Serving Washoe, Lyon, Storey and Carson Counties, our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Hospice staff receive special training to care for all types of physical and emotional symptoms that cause pain, discomfort and distress. When considering your options for end-of-life transition, our team is available to answer questions and discuss if Renown Hospice Care will meet your needs. 

Your hospice care team includes

  • Medical Director
  • Registered Nurses
  • Certified Nursing Aides
  • Medical Social Workers
  • Chaplains
  • Registered Dietitians
  • Trained Volunteers


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Hospice Care provided in the home setting?

    Hospice care is typically provided in the home setting. If you live in a nursing facility or other long-term care facility, the care will be provided there. 

  • When is the right time to ask about hospice?
    Now is the best time to learn more about hospice and ask questions about what to expect. Hospice staff will meet with patients with an advanced illness to learn about concerns, determine needs, answer questions and explain the benefits of hospice services in more detail. There is no obligation or cost for this visit.  Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best to share wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice is needed. 
  • How does hospice care begin?

    Typically, hospice care starts as soon as a formal request or a ‘referral’ is made by your doctor. Often a hospice program representative will contact you within 24 hours to set up a visit that is convenient for you. Usually, hospice care is ready to begin within a day or two of  referral. However, in urgent situations, hospice services may begin sooner. 

  • How does the hospice team provide comfort?
    Your hospice team works with your physician to make sure that medication, therapies and procedures are designed to achieve the goals outlined in your care plan, including symptoms that cause pain, discomfort and distress. This care plan is reviewed frequently to make sure any changes and new goals are in the plan. Additionally, a chaplain and bereavement services are provided up to 18 months after a loved one passes away.
  • What role does the hospice volunteer serve?
    Hospice volunteers provide different types of support including running errands, preparing light meals, staying with a patient to give family members a break, and lending emotional support and companionship to patients and family members. Because hospice volunteers spend time in patients’ and families’ homes, each hospice  volunteer completes an  application , training  and interview process to assure the person is right for this type of volunteer work.
  • Who pays for hospice?
    Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances cover hospice services.
  • What is the difference between palliative and hospice care?

    Palliative and hospice are similar in that they both focus on comfort and quality of life. Palliative care is provided to manage symptoms, determine goals of care and assist in advance care planning while you are still undergoing treatment. Palliative care can be received by patients at any time and at any stage of illness, whether it be life-limiting or not.  

    Hospice care is often chosen when the burden outweighs the benefit of ongoing treatments intended to cure and when life expectancy is six months or less. 

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