Dr. Leslee B. Cochrane is the executive medical director of Hospice of the Valleys. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Dr. Leslee B. CochraneSpecial to the Valley NewsHospice care is a medical service that promotes compassionate care, support, and comfort to patients when they have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less; however, many patients live beyond this period.Hospice is covered by Medicare and most private insurance and provides home visits from an interdisciplinary team including nurses, physicians, home health aides, spiritual care and medical social workers who assist the patient and family in developing a patient directed plan of care. Hospice also covers the cost of all medications, medical equipment and supplies required to manage the hospice related conditions and all care is provided in the comfort of the patient’s place of residence
