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Brown & Toland has developed a hospice program to raise awareness of the benefits of hospice and to help patients and their families better understand hospice’s holistic model of care when appropriate, during end-of-life care planning. 

Hospice is often a misunderstood and potentially frightening concept for many because it is associated with end-of-life,” said Susan Huang, M.D., medical director at Brown & Toland. “But many do not understand the benefits of hospice and how it can help patients and families.”

Dr. Huang noted that one of the biggest myths with hospice is a sense of “giving up” and that hospice may be seen as a final surrender. “Instead, hospice is a way for patients, families, and medical providers to focus on and prioritize the values and care goals of the patient and family when faced with terminal illness. It is specialized care and one of the only care models that supports not only patients but also their families throughout a very difficult time.”

Dr. Huang added that hospice’s emphasis is on quality of life, pain management, spiritual support, caregiving aid, social services and bereavement counseling.  

Resources

Area Hospice Service Agencies

Asian Network Pacific Home Care & Hospice (Seven Asian languages served)

San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa counties

San Francisco Phone:           415.345.9797          

Oakland Phone:                   510.268.1118

Crossroads Home Health and Hospice

San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa counties

Intake Phone:                       415.293.7021           

Hospice by the Bay

San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Napa, Sonoma counties

Intake Phone:                       888.720.2111          

Kindred Hospice (Gentiva)

(Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa counties)

Phone:                                   925.737.0203

Additional Resources

For families, an online education video for decision support on goals of care for advanced dementia patients.