How to Find Hospice Care for Ovarian Cancer Patients

A program designed specifically to ease the lives of terminally ill patients, hospice is usually available for cancer patients who have been diagnosed with fewer than 6 months to live. For women suffering from cancer of the ovaries, the primary goal of hospice care is to make patients comfortable and ease pain in a relaxed environment. Ovarian cancer is a malignant growth on or in one or both of the ovaries.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

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Instructions

Know the Services that Hospice Care Provides for Ovarian Cancer Patients

• 1

  Know that care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if necessary.

• 2

  Realize that you can access hospice care in your own home, in a hospital or in a special hospice care center.

• 3

  Recognize that one of the main responsibilities of hospice is to provide pain relief.

• 4

  Be aware that many health insurance policies as well as Medicare pay for hospice care as part of the treatment costs of cancer patients.

Learn About Services Hospice Care Provides the Families of Ovarian Cancer Patients

• 5

  Be aware that part of hospice care is designed to give the families of ovarian cancer patients care and support, including grief counseling if needed.

• 6

  Use hospice care to keep family members informed of how your condition is progressing.

• 7

  Access the hospice care facility to get out of the house or allow your family and loved ones an opportunity to have a break from providing care.

Find Hospice Care for Ovarian Cancer Patients

• 8

  Visit the American Cancer Society Web site to find out more information about hospice care (see Resources below).

• 9

  Check out the Hospice Education Institute Web site to access a database of hospice care in your area (see Resources below).

• 10

  Ask members of your healthcare team, such as your doctors or a social worker, for recommendations of hospice care.