Services · Special situations
Palliative care at home – supported in familiar surroundings
Palliative care in your own home – in close coordination with doctors and with relatives. When needed, we are there for you around the clock, from Monday to Sunday.
- Recognised by all Swiss health insurers
- Around the clock if needed
- Zurich · Aargau · Schwyz
At a glance
- Where
- At home, in familiar surroundings
- Working with
- Doctors and relatives
- Visit times
- Around the clock if needed
- Costs
- Health insurance (basic insurance)
Who it is for
When cure is no longer the focus.
Palliative care supports people with an incurable, progressive illness. The focus is on quality of life, relief from symptoms and the wishes of the person who is ill – and on their relatives.
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Staying at home
When you want to spend the time that remains in your familiar surroundings.
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Relatives
When you are caring for someone close to you and would like professional support at your side.
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At night too
When care and presence are needed around the clock – from Monday to Sunday if needed.
What it includes
Care that relieves and supports.
We provide care in close coordination with the treating doctors and with your relatives. Together, this creates a network at home that everyone can rely on.
Depending on the situation, for example:
- Relief from symptoms such as pain or breathlessness – on a doctor’s prescription
- Preparing and giving medication
- Personal care, mouth care and positioning
- Advising relatives and showing them how to help with care
- Coordination with doctors and others involved
- Presence and support – on request also over 12 or 24 hours
We obtain aids and care supplies for you – as agreed with you.
Should someone be there around the clock? More about 24-hour care
How it works
Planning the way together.
We listen and shape the care around what matters to you.
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Get in touch
Call us on 044 500 49 27 – relatives, family doctors or the hospital can also contact us directly.
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Assessment in your home
We get to know the situation, the wishes and the needs of everyone involved.
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Coordination with the doctors
We coordinate care closely with the doctors and with the relatives. Medical measures require a doctor’s prescription.
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Support
We take over your care within 24 hours and adapt it as things change – around the clock if needed.
Costs & health insurance
Who pays for palliative care at home?
Palliative nursing at home is a benefit of basic health insurance, and we are recognised by all Swiss health insurers. Depending on the measure, it is billed at the hourly rates for needs assessment and advice, for examinations and treatment or for basic care. The patient contribution, deductible (franchise) and co-payment (Selbstbehalt) are added.
From 1 January 2027, the federal government is introducing separate rate categories for specialised palliative care. We are happy to explain what this means for you.
Explained in brief
- Patient contribution
- You pay part of the nursing costs yourself – up to a fixed maximum per day. The amount is set by your canton. Children and young people under 18 pay no patient contribution in the cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Schwyz.
- Deductible (franchise)
- The amount you pay yourself each calendar year before basic insurance starts covering costs. You chose the amount with your health insurer.
- Co-payment (Selbstbehalt)
- Once you have paid your deductible, you contribute 10 per cent of any further costs – up to an annual maximum.
- Residual financing
- Whatever is not covered by health insurance and the patient contribution is paid by the public sector – depending on the canton, by your municipality of residence or by the canton.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about palliative care
What does palliative care at home mean?
Palliative care covers the nursing care and support of people with an incurable, progressive illness. At home means: in familiar surroundings, together with relatives and in close coordination with the doctors.
Does health insurance pay for palliative care at home?
Yes. The nursing services are covered by basic insurance, and we are recognised by all Swiss health insurers. You pay your canton’s patient contribution as well as your deductible (franchise) and co-payment (Selbstbehalt).
How does Spitex work with doctors and relatives?
We coordinate care closely with the treating doctors and involve relatives – in the way the person who is ill wishes. We advise relatives and show them how to help with care.
Is palliative care possible at night?
Yes. When needed, we are there around the clock – from Monday to Sunday. On request, we also offer a presence over 12 or 24 hours.
Who obtains the aids and care supplies?
We take care of everything for you – as agreed with you.
At what times are you available?
With specially qualified staff, Spitex Medimex provides professional care around the clock – from Monday to Sunday (7 × 24 hours).
Where we work
Palliative care in your region
We are out and about for you in the cantons of Zurich (including the City of Zurich), Aargau and Schwyz. Everyone living in these cantons can use our services.
Our office: Lerzenstrasse 11, 8953 Dietikon
Contact and officeOpen in Google Maps (opens in a new window)
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Canton of Zurich
The whole canton, including the City of Zurich -
Canton of Aargau
Throughout the Canton of Aargau -
Canton of Schwyz
Throughout the Canton of Schwyz
We are here for you
You are not alone.
Call us – we will listen, advise you personally and coordinate everything else with the doctors and your family.