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Hospice care in the Twin Cities

You and your loved ones will have the support of our board-certified hospice doctors, nurses, social workers, aides, therapists and counselors.

Knowing matters. We’ll help you understand hospice care, what to expect and options for providing the best care for your loved one.

We’re here for you and your loved one with pain management, caregiver support and spiritual care.

A person’s final days should be as comfortable and meaningful as possible. Our team is here to give you and your family peace of mind, support and comfort care.

We provide hospice care to people who are dealing with life-limiting conditions. Our care team serves adults in their homes, at hospitals, in nursing facilities and in assisted living communities throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.

When you turn to HealthPartners and Park Nicollet for hospice care, we’ll begin by asking how we can best support your family. Then, with your input, and with guidance from your care team and oversight from your hospice doctor, we’ll tailor our care to meet your unique needs.

Our compassionate care team of nurses and specialized therapists help with managing symptoms and limiting pain. Our counselors and volunteers help to make sure the entire family gets the support and spiritual care they need.  

 Who hospice care is for

Generally, hospice care is for someone with a terminal illness who is expected to live months rather than years. Patients can be recertified and remain under the care of our hospice team if they continue to meet certain criteria specific to their illnesses.

It’s never too early to start a conversation about hospice care when talking with your loved one’s doctor about a life-limiting condition. If your doctor hasn’t mentioned hospice, it’s okay to ask. In fact, many people wait longer than they should to start hospice and miss the benefits that come with it.

Hospice care is about getting the support you and your loved one need to help make the best of each day during an advanced illness. Know that you can un-enroll in hospice at any time if your condition improves or if you decide to seek further treatment.

 Services we provide
  • Caregiver support
  • Individual and family counseling
  • Massage and music therapy
  • Pain and symptom management
  • Patient and caregiver education
  • Personal care, like baths and hygiene
  • Spiritual care
 Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Depending on your needs, your care team may include a range of professionals who visit you or your loved one and provide care in your home:

  • Grief counselor – Specially trained grief counselors provide support and guidance for your family before and after the loss of a loved one. Bereavement services include individual counseling, classes about grief, grief support groups, telephone reassurance calls and much more. In addition, we can connect you or someone in your family to one of our highly trained mental health experts who offer additional services such as talk therapy to help with grief. 
  • Hospice aide – Our hospice aides can provide support for routine personal care, such as bathing, nail care, oral hygiene, dressing and eating. The extra support hospice aides provide can relieve family caregivers and improve safety.
  • Nurse – Our hospice nurses assess and manage medications, as well as coordinate day-to-day care with other members of our team. They are in constant communication with the doctor to make sure you or your loved one is getting everything they need to remain comfortable.
  • Social worker – Our social workers provide emotional support to help you and your family cope and manage grief. For services hospice may not provide, your social worker can also help you with community resources that may be available.
  • Spiritual counselor – A counselor (also known as a chaplain) is available for scheduled visits or as needed to provide individual and family spiritual support. No matter your religious or cultural background, a spiritual counselor can provide an opportunity to talk about your life experiences, the spiritual aspects of illness and any end-of-life rituals important to you or your loved one. This counselor can contact clergy or spiritual counselors from your faith community on your behalf. 
  • Therapists – Specialized therapists are available to promote relaxation and to help reduce stress and anxiety. Integrative therapy services provide added resources to help manage symptoms and make things more comfortable. These therapies focus on your mind and spirit.
  • Volunteers – Specially trained volunteers, including individuals who have been through the hospice experience, provide a variety of services, from listening and companionship to running errands.

When you are choosing hospice care, look for a hospice program that:

  • Is Medicare certified – Programs that are Medicare certified meet set standards for providing high quality of care.
  • Was surveyed by a state oversight agency within the last five years – The oversight helps ensure that the hospice program you choose follows current best practices for hospice care.
  • Meets national guidelines – The government sets guidelines for hospice care, helping to ensure that patients get the support they need.
  • Is accredited by a national organization – Accreditation is another way to ensure that the hospice care meets certain standards.
  • Is established and proven – A hospice program that has been around for a long time is likely to be stable and reliable.
  • Comes well recommended from past patients and their families – Recommendations from other families are one of the best ways to tell if the hospice provider will be a good fit for you.

Losing someone you love is never easy. At HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, we give gentle guidance and support to help everyone prepare for and cope with the loss of a loved one.

Our grief counselors understand that everyone experiences loss in different ways. We offer a variety of options to help you on your path to healing, including a range of bereavement classes and programs. Our Growing Through Grief program helps children and teens overcome the pain of losing a loved one. We also partner with We Honor Veterans to ensure that excellent end-of-life care is available for the nation’s veterans and their families.

There are many opportunities to become a hospice volunteer. Volunteers are specially trained to serve our patients and families, and each program has its own training. For more information about training, contact the volunteer services department you are interested in joining.

HealthPartners hospice volunteers

To apply to become a HealthPartners Hospice Volunteer, please fill out our online Hospice Volunteer Application.

For questions or more information, email us at hospicevolunteerserv@healthpartners.com or call us at 952-883-6877.

Park Nicollet hospice volunteers

To apply to become a Park Nicollet Hospice Volunteer or for more information, email Elizabeth.swanson@parknicollet.com or call us at 952-993-5381.

Lakeview hospice volunteers

To join our team as a hospice volunteer in the east metro and western Wisconsin, email Lisa.R.Cressy@Lakeview.org or call 651-275-8255.

Medicare, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and most private health insurance companies cover hospice care if the patient meets certain requirements:

  • The patient’s doctor and the hospice program’s medical director must certify that the patient is eligible
  • The patient’s care goals are relief of symptoms, rather than curative treatment
  • The patient consents to hospice care

From understanding your Medicare coverage to working with your insurance company, we can help support you in accessing hospice care.

Palliative care is a medical specialty devoted to helping people with serious illnesses improve their quality of life. Some patients may be receiving treatment for their illness, while others are only managing symptoms. Palliative care specialists provide symptom management, emotional support and guidance as patients make decisions about their health care.

Hospice care is a type of palliative care for people who have months, rather than years, to live. The focus of their care shifts to improving their comfort level and helping patients and families make the best of each day.

We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, CIGNA, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne and many others.

Not sure what your insurance covers? Call the number on the back of your card or our CareLine nurses any time at 612-339-3663 or 800-551-0859 for help looking at your options.

Don’t have your card in front of you? Here are member services numbers to help you get started:
Hospice resources