Hospice and Palliative Care Expert

Purvi Desai, DO

Meet the Expert: Purvi Desai, DO, VITAS medical director, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and fellowship trained hospice and palliative medicine physician. Dr. Desai is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care that preserves dignity, honors individual values, and supports patients and families through every stage of their journey.

What do families most often wish they had known—or done—sooner?

A: People frequently say, “I wish we had called hospice sooner.” Many families wait until the final days of life, not realizing that hospice can provide valuable support for months, not just days. Hospice is most beneficial when patients and families have time to fully access the support and resources available.

Families often wish they had started conversations about care goals, priorities and preferences sooner. Hospice focuses on what matters most to the patient and helping them live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible. When discussions happen earlier, patients and families have more time to make informed decisions, create meaningful moments together, find peace and avoid crisis-driven choices.

Hospice helps families know what to expect as their loved one’s illness progresses. VITAS provides education and 24/7/365 clinical support, so families can focus their energy on spending quality time together rather than navigating a medical crisis. VITAS Inpatient Care Center at Edgewater Village will open in late 2026 to help care for patients with acute symptoms. 

What are common misconceptions about hospice care?

• Hospice is a service, not a place. Many people believe hospice means moving into a facility, however, hospice is a philosophy and service of care that is provided wherever a patient calls home. 
• Hospice is not “giving up.” Hospice focuses on comfort, symptom management, dignity and quality of life, rather than curing disease. Patients and families often discover that hospice helps them make the most of the time they have together. 
• Hospice is not just for the last few days of life. Eligibility for hospice begins when a physician determines that a patient may have six months or less to live if the illness follows its expected course. Timelier enrollment allows patients and families to benefit more fully from the support hospice provides. 
• Families worry about the cost of care, but Medicare Part A covers hospice services, typically with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

To learn whether hospice may be appropriate for a loved one, schedule a no-obligation eligibility consultation with VITAS. Referrals are accepted 24/7/365 through the VITAS mobile app.