- LoveWell Care Guide
What to Expect When Hospice Begins
Starting hospice often happens during an emotional and busy time. Knowing the sequence of conversations, decisions, and care planning can make the transition less uncertain.
The process is centered on the person receiving care: their condition, preferences, symptoms, goals, and family circumstances.
Step 1: Ask Questions and Discuss the Situation
A patient, family member, or healthcare professional may begin by contacting hospice. The first conversation can cover the diagnosis, recent changes, current care setting, and what the family hopes to understand.
Calling to learn more is not a commitment to elect hospice.
Step 2: Review Eligibility and Goals
The hospice team gathers clinical information and works through applicable certification and election requirements. The patient or authorized representative receives information needed to make an informed choice.
Step 3: Build an Individualized Care Plan
After hospice begins, the interdisciplinary team develops a plan that addresses symptoms, medications, equipment, personal care, psychosocial needs, and the roles of family and other caregivers.
The plan is not static. It is reviewed and adjusted as needs change.
Step 4: Meet Members of the Hospice Team
Depending on needs, the patient may meet nurses, aides, social workers, spiritual care professionals, and other team members. Families can ask whom to call for routine questions and urgent changes.
What Family Caregivers Can Expect
Hospice supports caregivers with education and guidance, but routine caregiving responsibilities do not automatically transfer to the hospice team. Ask what visits and services are planned and what help the family will need between visits.
Preparing for the First Visit
It may help to gather:
- A medication list and allergies
- Contact information for treating clinicians and family decision-makers
- Recent discharge paperwork if available
- Questions about symptoms, equipment, safety, and the care schedule
If the Person’s Condition Changes
Tell the hospice team about new symptoms, safety concerns, or changes in goals. Ask for the specific contact and escalation instructions provided by the hospice rather than relying on general website guidance.
What the First Days May Feel Like
Families may meet several team members at different times rather than everyone at once. The care team learns about symptoms, medications, equipment needs, caregiver questions, and what the patient wants to prioritize. The visit schedule is individualized, not a fixed promise of identical visits for every patient.
Medication and Equipment Coordination
Ask which current medications should continue, which will be reviewed, and who to contact before making changes. The team may identify equipment or supplies related to the hospice plan of care and explain how they will be arranged.
Do not stop or change medications solely because hospice has been discussed; make changes with the treating team.
Who to Call When Symptoms Change
Before the first visit ends, ask how to contact the hospice for urgent symptom concerns, what information to have ready, and when emergency services may be appropriate. Families should understand the communication plan before a difficult moment occurs.
Caregiver Orientation
Ask the nurse to demonstrate any caregiving tasks you will be expected to perform, including safe positioning, medication administration as ordered, and recognizing symptoms that warrant a call. Ask for written instructions where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
No referral is needed simply to ask about hospice, although certification and other steps are required for admission.
The team reviews needs, explains the care plan, and addresses immediate questions; exact workflows vary.
Hospice provides services under the care plan but is not a replacement for all day-to-day caregiving.
Yes. It should be updated as the patient’s needs and goals change.
Part of the LoveWell Family
You Don't Have to Know When the Time Is Right
If you are caring for someone with a serious illness and are wondering what support may be appropriate, you do not need to have all the answers before starting a conversation. LoveWell Hospice can help you understand hospice, the evaluation process, and possible next steps.
Ask questions about hospice care or discuss whether an evaluation may be appropriate. A conversation does not obligate you to enroll.