An evaluation for hospice can be requested at any time, then a terminal diagnosis will be required by a doctor for care to be approved. At this point a hospice provider can be contacted to start the hospice admission process (please note that “admission” refers to the start of service and does not necessarily reflect the patient being physically admitted to facility or new location).

If your loved one has a terminal condition and you think they may benefit from hospice care then we encourage you to speak to their physician about hospice. Some doctors are familiar with hospice and suggest is readily, but others may not be as familiar with its benefits and less likely to recommend it.

The option for hospice should be a serious consideration when a patient’s life expectancy is limited and they or their loved ones decide comfort and dignity are the ideal goals, though it is good to start the conversation before an illness reaches this stage. In terms of the patient’s wellbeing, Hospice is best considered when quality of life is lessened due to an ongoing state of care or treatment that is not projected to help the patient live any longer or more comfortably. The answer is different for each patient and their family, but in simplest terms, the option of hospice should be weighed when quality of life outweighs quantity of life.

In terms of the patient’s wellbeing, Hospice is best considered when quality of life is lessened due to an ongoing state of care or treatment that is not projected to help the patient live any longer or more comfortably.

The answer is different for each patient and their family, but in simplest terms, the option of hospice should be weighed when quality of life outweighs quantity of life.

The option of hospice is generally discussed among the patient (if possible), the primary care physician, the family and, when relevant, the patient’s care facility. In cases where the patient is unable to make the decision for themselves, an Advance Healthcare Directive can provide invaluable guidance. In cases where there has been no advanced planning the decision to start hospice is often left to the individual with Power of Attorney for the patient.

Except for exceptional circumstances involving 24 hour care for pain management or other acute conditions, most hospice cases involve periodic visits from doctors, nurses, volunteers and other team members. Care for the patient must still be provided predominantly by family, privately-paid in home caregivers or caregivers at the facility where they reside.

In most cases, daily ongoing care for the patient must still be provided predominantly by family, privately-paid in home caregivers or caregivers at the facility where they reside. In exceptional circumstances 24 hour constant care for pain management or other acute conditions may be covered at the request of the attending medical staff.

Visits from the hospice team can vary greatly depending on the patient’s conditions and needs, so it is not possible to give an accurate estimate. It is best to plan to address your needs and observations prior to the team member’s arrival to make the most of their visit.

Frequency of visits by team members depends upon the patient’s needs and condition, as well as the number of hospice programs the patient opts to receive or is eligible for. As a guideline it is best to assume that the nurse will visit twice weekly with periodic visits from other team members.