Hospice services in Kansas City
What makes life meaningful isn’t how many days we have, but the quality of those days.
Our hospice and family care services offer compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual support, ensuring that you or your loved ones can experience the last moments of life with dignity, respect and comfort.
Compassionate support wherever you feel at home
When choosing hospice care, you can trust that we are dedicated to providing a comforting, home-like environment — whether in a nursing home, an assisted living facility or the comfort of your own home. We provide the following services:
- 24/7 support line
- Bereavement support
- Companionship (volunteers)
- Customized care plan
- Financial/insurance advocacy
- Nursing services
- Pain management
- Personal care assistance
- Spiritual comfort
Personalized hospice care
Our hospice and family care services are designed to support those facing a life-limiting illness with personalized, compassionate care. Our dedicated team provides physical, emotional and spiritual comfort. We focus on creating a soothing environment, incorporating meaningful touches like favorite music and cherished photos. Surrounded by family and friends, each day can be filled with moments that truly matter.
What sets our program apart
We are committed to creating a space that has the comforts of home, no matter where you are. Our team will provide the subtle touches that bring you comfort — as well as surround you with family and friends to help you make the most of every moment.
Our four levels of care include:
- Routine care — We visit you in your home to manage symptoms and make sure you're comfortable. We also take time to educate your family on how best to care for you — including all equipment, treatments and medications.
- Continuous care — As an alternative to going into the hospital for uncontrolled symptoms, our team can provide up to 24-hour care for a short period of time. This is to gain control of the symptom burden.
- General inpatient hospice care — A higher level of care may be needed when your symptoms are unable to be controlled in the home. Admission to a hospital or skilled nursing facility for a short duration may be needed to gain control of symptoms.
- Respite care — Our team can offer a break from caregiving duties for up to five continuous days when family members need an emotional or physical break.
We will collaborate with you and your loved ones to determine which level of care is best.
Legacy wish fulfillment
We are deeply honored to support you and your family through life's final journey. Our team is here to help patients create meaningful keepsakes that celebrate their legacy and provide comfort to their loved ones. Examples of legacy projects include:
- Memory bears
- Photos with loved ones
- Thumbprint pendants or framed
- Voice recordings
- Written letters for future milestones (wedding, graduation, etc.)
If you are interested in fulfilling a last wish that could help your loved one gain closure, our team will work closely with you and your family to discuss these projects and determine how we can help.
We Honor Veterans
Our hospice agency takes part in a program known as We Honor Veterans. This program creates guidelines and expectations for staff and community training to best care for our veterans. Our team is sensitive to the unique challenges veterans face when seeking medical care and promise to support you and honor your wishes every step of your hospice journey.
Our hospice and family care locations
Our hospice care services are centralized at two locations in Greater Kansas City:
- HCA Midwest Hospice & Family Care, Leawood — (913) 663-0267
- HCA Midwest Hospice & Family Care, Independence — (816) 943-4015
Hospice FAQs
What is hospice care?
Hospice is a compassionate, whole-person approach to care designed for individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. Rather than seeking a cure, hospice focuses on managing pain and symptoms, ensuring comfort, dignity and quality of life. In addition to physical care, it provides emotional and spiritual support during life's final stages. Our hospice services are available to individuals of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs.
Is hospice care covered by insurance?
Hospice care is usually covered under most private insurance plans, as well as HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid and other managed care organizations. We can work with you to determine coverage.
Do I have to go to the hospital to receive hospice care?
You don't have to go to the hospital to receive hospice care. It is typically provided where you live, whether that is your own home, the home of a loved one or a nursing home. You will be given a compassionate team of caregivers who will regularly check in with you and provide physical and emotional support to you and your family.
What's the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care, including palliative care at home, focuses on managing pain and discomfort and providing the highest quality of life alongside curative treatments. Hospice care also concentrates on pain management but is provided when a cure is no longer possible.
Are there limits on who can receive hospice care?
Many people assume that hospice care is only for the elderly, those with a terminal diagnosis or those referred by a physician. However, you or a loved one may be eligible for hospice services if you have a life-limiting condition and meet the necessary criteria. Hospice care is always a choice — you can discontinue services at any time. If you believe hospice may be the right next step, you can start the conversation with your physician.
How do I become a volunteer?
Have you been looking for a fulfilling opportunity to serve your community? Consider joining our team as a hospice volunteer! Hospice volunteers are a strong foundation of our care team, and can assist patients and families through their end-of-life journey in many ways.
Volunteer activities include:
- Patient visits
- Reading books
- Listening to/sharing stories
- Engaging in conversation
- Playing games
- Building puzzles
- Writing letters for loved ones
We also offer volunteer opportunities in our offices, which include:
- Filing paperwork
- Assisting with patient mailings
- Building patient binders
- Answering phone calls
- Providing check-in calls to patients
All hospice volunteers will receive free training and support from hospice professionals, before receiving their patient assignment. Interested in learning more? Please contact our office and ask to speak with our volunteer coordinator.
What areas do you serve?
We are licensed to serve multiple counties in Missouri and Kansas. We invite you to contact our office for information on services available in your area.