HPH Hospice’s philosophy is about living every day to its fullest.

HPH Hospice’s dedicated staff and volunteers are your friends and neighbors. We’re committed individuals who share an extraordinary expertise and passion for providing care, comfort and support to individuals affected by a life-limiting illness. The HPH Hospice team serves all of Citrus County, as well as Hernando and Pasco Counties, and sees patients wherever they call “home.” Usually, home is in the comfort of one’s private residence, a nursing home or an assisted living facility. However, HPH Hospice, formerly known as Hernando-Pasco Hospice, has a beautiful Hospice House in Lecanto, and a Hospice Care Center in Inverness that are designed to ensure the best possible hospice experience for you and your loved one.  We also have additional facilities in Hernando and Pasco Counties.

Although HPH Hospice is continually growing and changing to meet the needs of its diverse communities, we still practice many of the same core philosophies upon which our not-for-profit organization was founded in 1984. Anybody who needs the services of HPH Hospice and resides in our service area of Citrus County will receive the highest quality care regardless of their ability to pay. Our physicians still make house calls and our hospice nurses travel day or night to be by a patient’s bedside. A friendly, knowledgeable HPH Hospice nurse is always available when you call and you’ll receive the prompt assistance that you deserve. HPH Hospice doesn’t just care for its patients. Rather, we care for the entire family and help grieving adults, teens and children through our bereavement program.

At HPH Hospice, peace of mind comes with knowing that we’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that you’ll be treated like family. We honor and uphold our patients’ rights to make their own choices and respect their individuality. We believe in upholding one’s dignity. After all, our patients and families have paid HPH Hospice the highest honor by allowing us into their lives. What greater privilege could there possibly be?

WE BELIEVE

We believe in supporting hope.

Hope for a miracle.

Hope for a peaceful passing.

Hope for the comfort that

comes from healing goodbyes.

And hope for the future

for those who remain

We believe in dignity.

And in choice.

We believe in fighting-

and in letting go.

We believe in faith

and love and honesty.

We believe in life

till the end.

CAN HOSPICE HELP?

Hospice isn’t just a place, it’s an attitude of service and striving to instill quality of life in every single day. HPH Hospice, a non-profit agency serving Citrus County since 2005, offers dignity and compassion to our terminally ill neighbors when these qualities are needed most.

To be eligible for Hospice medical services, a patient must be diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of less than six months. The patient’s own physician or a HPH Hospice physician can certify eligibility. But anyone, including the patient or a family member, can make the initial call to HPH Hospice to discuss our services and determine if Hospice is an appropriate option. Someone is always available when you call.

CHOOSING THE HELP OF HPH HOSPICE MEANS…

• Above all, dignity and compassion for our end-of-life patients…and peace of mind for their families.
• A treatment program customized for each patient, to make the most of every day.
• Treatment for patients with any terminal disease–including chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, dementia and other conditions–as well as cancer.
• Continuous and uncompromising focus on comfort and pain management.
• Regularly scheduled visits from Hospice nurses who specialize in recognizing and treating the pain and symptoms of terminal illness.
• Personal care by Hospice Aides.
• Physicians and nurses, on call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, who can provide comfort as the disease symptoms progress.
• Equipment and medication related to the patient’s life-limiting illness.
• Companionship and family respite by trained, understanding volunteers.
• Counseling for family as well as the patient to help cope with the life-limiting illness.
• Spiritual care with a chaplain who nurtures and supports your family’s belief system.
• Bereavement counseling for survivors in private and group settings.
• Special children’s bereavement program that includes individual and group counseling, and age-appropriate camping weekends.
• Neighborhood offices to bring critical resources close to where they’re needed.

Wherever You Live, We’ll Be There For You

HOSPICE CARE AT HOME

Most patients of HPH Hospice choose to be cared for in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. And we agree, there’s no place like home. After a thorough evaluation by the physician, nurse and social worker, we furnish medications and supplies to allow the patient the best possible quality of life. In fact, with their pain and symptoms relieved, many of our patients continue to participate in outings, hobbies and other activities they enjoyed before they became ill.

HOSPICE CARE IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND NURSING HOMES

HPH Hospice's staff already enjoys warm working relationships with our local Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes. We bring specialized training and experience so that together the best possible care is available during a resident’s final months. The facility staff provides everyday long-term care, while HPH Hospice's physicians and nurses manage pain, other symptoms of the terminal illness and end-of-life issues. HPH Hospice’s social services, chaplain staff, volunteers and bereavement counselors are there to support residents and their family members, just as they are for our at-home patients.

HOSPICE HOUSE

Our beautiful Hospice House in Lecanto is a special residence where patients can spend their last weeks or months being cared for as if at home. This “home away from home” provides a safe option for patients who have no caregiver or whose caregiver is unable to provide full-time care.

The Lecanto Hospice House has 10 private bedrooms and a large great room for families to gather. While the Hospice House is decorated to look and feel like comfortable dwellings, it is completely equipped to meet the medical needs of our patients. Nurses, home health aides and social workers staff the Hospice House. Patients also receive regular visits from HPH Hospice physicians, clergy, and volunteers. Of course, family and friends are welcome at all times.

HOSPICE CARE CENTER

When the symptoms of a life-limiting illness progress to the point where hi-tech nursing care is needed to stabilize a patient’s condition, there is an alternative to an acute care setting: the Inverness Hospice Care Center.

The Hospice Care Center provides short-term care in times of medical crisis when complicated symptoms or pain require round-the-clock medical attention.

A patient may be discharged from the hospital directly to a Hospice Care Center in order to relieve complex pain or nausea, respiratory distress, or other difficult symptoms. Or, a patient who has been cared for at home may spend a few days in the Hospice Care Center to stabilize their condition in order to return home.

Whatever the case, we’ve taken special care to create a pleasant, non-institutional setting that is an agreeable alternative to the hospital.  The Hospice Care Center has large, attractively-furnished bedrooms. Family and visitors can relax in the comfortable living room or the quiet garden area designed for sitting or strolling. In addition to our round-the-clock nursing staff and on-site social worker, Hospice Care Center patients receive regular visits from physicians, clergy, and volunteers, just as our Hospice House and home patients do.

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS COST?

Many people ask how HPH Hospice, a not-for-profit agency, can afford to provide the exceptional care we’re known for. We’re here to do everything we can to bring comfort to patients and families during their time of need. We care for patients regardless of their ability to pay and accept reimbursement from Hospice Medicare or Medicaid benefits and insurance that covers hospice care. We depend greatly on the generosity of our friends for donations and other financial gifts to make this possible. There are many ways to help, and each one is appreciated. More importantly, it gives our patients and families the peace of mind to concentrate completely on each other.

HOSPICES ARE NOT ALL ALIKE

Hospices in the United States are independently operated agencies with varying philosophies, practices and services. Most people are surprised to learn that hospices are not all alike, and are not local branches of a national Hospice organization. In fact, some hospices are large for-profit national chains. To ensure you’ll receive the quality services described here, ask for HPH Hospice by name.

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