By Bill Wertman, CEO, Big Bend Hospice
I get asked this question a lot: What exactly is hospice?
On its surface, it sounds simple. Most people have a general idea… something about end-of-life care. But the truth is, there’s still a lot of confusion around what hospice actually means, who it’s for, and when it’s time to call.
And that’s understandable. For many, the word “hospice” feels heavy. It’s a word you hope you never have to say out loud. But behind that word is something far more human than most people realize: something compassionate, supportive, and, above all, meaningful.
Hospice is not about giving up. It’s about shifting focus. It’s about helping patients live well and fully, even while facing a life-limiting illness. It’s care that prioritizes comfort over cure, presence over procedure, dignity over disruption.
Hospice was officially recognized as a Medicare benefit in 1982, born out of a growing movement to give patients more control over their final chapter. Instead of aggressive interventions in sterile hospital rooms, people could choose to be surrounded by family, supported by a team, and comforted in body, mind, and spirit.
At Big Bend Hospice, we’ve been walking that path with families across our region for over 40 years. Our work extends into homes, nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice homes, and even correctional institutions. Wherever there’s someone facing the end of life, our team shows up: nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, all working together to make sure no one walks through that moment alone.
But here’s something I want more people to know: hospice doesn’t have to be a last-minute decision. In fact, we can help much sooner than most people think.
Patients are eligible for hospice when a physician believes they may have six months or less to live if the illness runs its natural course. That’s not a deadline, it’s a doorway. A doorway to care, to relief, to clarity, and to meaningful time with loved ones.
Too often, we’re called in when a patient has just days to live. By then, there’s barely time to get to know the family, let alone provide the full continuum of care we offer. But when patients and families call us earlier, we’re able to manage symptoms more effectively, answer questions with less pressure, and create moments of connection that make a difference. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management shows that hospice patients live an average of 29 days longer than those who do not choose hospice care. Proof that earlier care can bring not just comfort, but time.
So when someone asks, What is hospice?, I tell them this:
Hospice is expert medical care focused on quality of life.
It’s emotional and spiritual support for both patients and families.
It’s grief counseling, music therapy, and bedside prayers.
It’s the kind of care that sustains you — and stays with you.
At Big Bend Hospice, that care begins earlier, reaches farther, and holds on longer than people often expect. And that’s something I wish every family knew.
Because hospice isn’t just about dying. It’s about living with comfort, with dignity, and with the kind of compassion that reminds you: you are not alone.
If you have questions about whether hospice is right for your family, we’re here to help. No pressure. Just honest answers and an open door.