What is End of Life Care?
End of life care is the support a person receives when they are living with a serious illness or advanced age and are approaching the final stage of life. The goal at this time is comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
For every person and family, this stage will look different. End of life care can include pain and symptom management, help with daily activities, emotional and spiritual support, and conversations about a person’s wishes for their care. Great Lakes PACE end of life services can take place in the home, in a care facility, or in a hospital.
How Great Lakes PACE Supports Participants and Families at the End of Life
For Great Lakes PACE participants, end of life care is part of the all-inclusive care we provide. You won’t have to leave a care team you know and trust at the time when continuity matters most.
Each participant is supported by our Interdisciplinary Team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other professionals. As your needs change, our team works with the participant and your family to update the care plan, manage pain and symptoms, and honor the participant’s wishes for where and how they are cared for.
At this critical time, your family is supported, too. Team members are available to answer questions, help with difficult decisions, and connect caregivers with emotional and practical support.
Support for Family Caregivers: Respite, Emotional Support, and Bereavement Resources
End of life care also supports the family. Caregivers often carry the weight of daily decisions, and they need guidance and emotional support as much as their loved one needs comfort. Understanding what this kind of care involves can help you feel more prepared and confident in the choices ahead.
End of Life Care in Saginaw, Midland, Bay, Tuscola, and Shiawassee Counties
If your loved one lives in one of these areas, our enrollment team can confirm whether they live in a PACE service area and explain how end of life care for seniors works through the program.
Whether your family is just beginning to ask questions or is already facing difficult decisions, you do not have to sort it out alone. Call us to talk through your situation and learn what support may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions About End of Life Care
1. Does choosing comfort care mean giving up?
No. Comfort care is about making the time a person has as peaceful and meaningful as possible. Families often find it brings relief because the focus shifts to comfort, dignity, and time together.
2. How long does end of life care last?
It varies widely. Some people need end of life care for days or weeks, and others for many months. Your loved one’s care team can help you understand what to expect as their needs change.
3. Does Medicare cover end of life care?
Medicare covers hospice care for eligible people, and coverage for other end of life services depends on the plan and the type of care. Great Lakes PACE covers end of life care for all participants.
4. Who should I call if my loved one’s condition changes suddenly?
Call their care team first, so you can get guidance quickly. In an emergency, call 911. It helps to ask the care team ahead of time who to call and what to do so your family has a plan.
5. Is it normal to feel guilty or overwhelmed as a caregiver?
Yes. Many family caregivers feel exhausted, sad, or guilty – sometimes all at once. These feelings don’t mean you are doing anything wrong. Talking with a social worker, counselor, or support group can help.
