Hospice care for kidney cancer
People who have stage 4 kidney cancer (also called metastatic kidney cancer) that no longer responds to treatments often benefit from hospice care. This specialized program provides a variety of services designed to ease symptoms and provide comfort to patients nearing the end of life. It’s also a family-centric program that offers support and guidance to loved ones.
From the community: “…When she went into hospice care a few months ago, I flew up for one last visit. For the first day she didn't know me from Adam. And so it was the second day until, I took her by the shoulders and looked deeply into her uncomprehending eyes and said, "Mother, it is Mac." Her eyes opened wider and an unmistakable expression of recognition replaced the vacant look. "Oh Darling, come give me a hug":, she said. Always the southern Belle with impeccable manners, she immediately introduced me to the aid as "her youngest son," which I am. She was there with me for perhaps 2 minutes before her confusion reasserted itself and she was gone again, this time for good. I will always cherish that moment. It was a gift that we were able to connect one last time...” – Inspire member
What is hospice?
Hospice care is also known as end-of-life care. Hospice specialists typically start to provide services after a physician says that a person is likely to live for six months or less (although some people live longer). At this stage of the illness, treatments may have stopped working or doctors may have exhausted all treatment options. Some patients decline to continue with treatments due to worsening health and treatment side effects. Hospice care providers step in during the last stages of an illness when a person is no longer receiving treatments to cure or stop the disease.
What services does hospice provide?
A hospice care team provides a variety of services like:
symptom management and pain relief
emotional support for the patient, caregivers, and family members
medical supplies and equipment like hospital beds and wheelchairs
caregiver guidance and respite relief
short-term inpatient care in a medical setting (for people receiving hospice services at home)
bereavement support and spiritual counseling
What’s the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care offers supportive services from the time of the initial diagnosis throughout treatments. These services are available to anyone with a chronic illness like diabetes and lupus. The disease doesn’t have to be life-threatening.
You can start to use palliative care services as soon as you receive a kidney cancer diagnosis, regardless of the cancer stage. Palliative care providers focus on improving a person’s quality of life by helping to manage disease symptoms, as well as treatment side effects.
People with chronic illnesses can receive palliative care for life. The period of time for hospice services is more finite — typically six months or less. You always have the option to stop hospice care (a revocation) in order to restart treatment or join a clinical trial. You can also receive hospice services for more than six months as long as your physician deems that you’re eligible for the care.
Who are the members of a hospice care team?
Hospice services are available 24/7 and can be provided wherever a patient is staying. This may be a hospital, nursing home, healthcare facility, or the patient’s home. For at-home hospice, the patient chooses a family member or friend to serve as their primary caregiver. This person partners with the hospice team and patient to address the patient’s needs and wishes. In a healthcare setting, the primary caregiver is often a member of the hospice team.
Hospice volunteers are an integral part of the care team. These volunteers complete hours of specialized training. They provide companionship to a patient. They also offer a bit of respite to caregivers by staying with a patient while a caregiver runs errands, or takes some much-needed time for themselves.
Other members of a hospice care team may include:
hospice doctor or medical director in charge of the patient’s care
oncologist (cancer specialist) or primary care physician
hospice nurses
pharmacists
social workers and mental health counselors
home health aides
dietitians
physical, occupational, or speech therapists
clergy members
bereavement counselors
Who pays for hospice services?
Hospice care is typically covered through:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
private health insurance
patients or their families (self-pay)
hospice organizations as part of a charitable program for those who don’t have coverage and can’t afford to pay
From the community: “Sadly, my 57 year old husband was placed on hospice today. It has been 25 months since his right kidney and tumor removal. The best Dr at Memorial Sloan tried everything but this nasty cancer is stronger than the medications that were meant to heal. Although we are devastated, our faith in God has not diminished. We continue to pray and trust. Keep fighting and keep the faith.” – Inspire member
How do you choose a hospice provider?
Your health insurer or insurance program can provide you with a list of hospice providers. Depending on your geographic location, you may have several providers to choose from. If you have an incurable condition, it’s best to look for a hospice provider while you’re still in general good health before you actually need the services.
You might consider these factors when choosing a hospice program:
insurance coverage
Medicare certification
accreditation by a national organization like The Joint Commission
state health department license (if required by your state)
board certification and training of the hospice medical director and team
range of available services
locations where services are provided (for instance, can the program switch from a hospital or nursing home to a home setting or vice versa, if needed?)
referrals from healthcare professionals, family members, or friends
From the community: “My mom and stepfather could help emotionally but not physically or logistically. We were pretty much on our own. And there’s a whole frustration that comes with having hired people come into your house, even though they’re great. There are so many “resources” out there but in the middle of it, it’s hard to find what you need when you need it – that was my experience. For example, hospice provided a bed for us when I wanted to care for him at home, but after they delivered it, I had no way to get him into it. We were advised to call the fire department.” – Inspire member
Sources
Finding a hospice program. American Cancer Society. May 2019.
How and where is hospice care provided and how it is paid for? American Cancer Society. May 2019.
What is hospice care? American Cancer Society. May 2019.
Hospice care. CaringInfo (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization).
Late stage and end-of-life care. HelpGuide. September 2020.
How to choose a hospice provider. Hospice Foundation of America.
Paying for hospice care. Hospice Foundation of America.
What is hospice? Hospice Foundation of America.
Hospice care: Comforting the terminally ill. Mayo Clinic. March 2021.
End-of-life care for people who have cancer. National Cancer Institute. June 2021.
Choices for care when treatment may not be an option. National Institute on Aging. July 2021.
What are palliative care and hospice care? National Institute on Aging. May 2021.
Disclaimer
Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
