Hospice care is an option for individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Its focus is to ease pain, enhance comfort, and help patients make the most of their remaining time with their loved ones. Families can arrange hospice care in a hospital, an inpatient hospice facility, a long-term care setting, or at home. Many people choose hospice care at home because it offers a familiar, comfortable, and relaxed environment.
Not knowing what to expect during the transition to hospice care at home, can leave families feeling anxious at an already difficult time. Understanding what comes next can go a long way toward bringing peace of mind. It may also be reassuring to know that your hospice care team will support you and your loved one through every step of the process.
Determining Your End-of-Life Preferences and Making Them Known
One of the first steps when beginning hospice care at home is ensuring that your loved one’s wishes are clearly understood and respected.
Developing a Plan of Care
The hospice team will meet with your family to create a personalized plan of care (POC). This plan considers the patient’s symptoms, goals, and preferences, as well as the needs of family members and caregivers. The POC outlines medications, services, medical supplies, and equipment, along with a schedule of visits from members of the hospice team, which may include a physician, nurse, medical social worker, hospice aide, chaplain, and trained volunteers.
The plan of care is reviewed regularly and can be adjusted at any time as needs change.
Completing an Advance Directive
Hospice care is also an appropriate time to complete an advance directive. An advance directive typically includes a living will and a health care power of attorney. A living will documents a person’s end-of-life preferences in case they are unable to communicate them, such as wishes related to life-sustaining treatments or organ donation. A health care power of attorney designates a trusted individual to make health care decisions if needed.
For legal guidance related to advance directives, families are encouraged to consult an attorney.
Equipping Your Space for Hospice Care at Home
Your hospice team will help ensure the home is properly equipped to support comfort, safety, and accessibility.
One of the first considerations is deciding where the patient’s bed will be placed, with attention to comfort and ease of access for caregivers. The team will also discuss preferences related to lighting, sound, and temperature. This may involve adding window coverings, lamps, soft music, white noise, fans, heaters, or extra blankets.
The hospice team will arrange for the delivery of any medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis, as ordered by a physician. These may include:
- A hospital or reclining bed
- Bedside commode
- Disposable gloves
- Incontinence supplies
- Medications, needles, and syringes
- Wheelchair or walker
Meeting Your Hospice Care Team
Hospice care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of professionals who work together to support both the patient and family. Team members may include:
- Physician
- Skilled nurse
- Medical social worker
- Spiritual care provider
- Hospice health aide
- Bereavement support professionals
- Trained volunteers
Your hospice care team will coordinate visits based on your needs and help establish a schedule so you know what to expect each day.
During these visits, families are encouraged to share concerns and ask questions. Open communication between the patient, caregivers, and hospice team is essential to managing expectations, addressing concerns, and ensuring the best possible experience.
We’re With You
At The Care Team, we understand how overwhelming this transition can feel. You don’t have to navigate hospice care alone. Our compassionate professionals are here to provide guidance, comfort, and support — helping your family focus on what matters most during this time.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about hospice care at home, please contact us for more information.