Preparing for Hospice Care

What Preparing for Hospice Really Means

Preparing for hospice care is less about paperwork and more about understanding what lies ahead. It gives families time to ask questions, express concerns, and feel confident about the care their loved one will receive.

Preparation often includes:

• Learning what hospice care provides and what it does not
• Understanding how symptoms will be managed at home or in a facility
• Talking through personal, cultural, or spiritual preferences
• Knowing who to call and what to expect as needs change
  Our role is to make this process feel steady and manageable, not rushed or confusing.

What to Prepare When Starting Hospice Care

Preparing to start hospice care does not require everything to be perfectly organized. Most of what families need can be gathered with help from the hospice team. Preparing a few key items ahead of time can make the transition smoother and more reassuring.

Helpful Things to Have Ready

• Medical information
  A list of current medications, recent diagnoses, and the name of the primary doctor. If available, discharge paperwork from recent hospital or facility stays can also be helpful.
• Insurance details
  Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance information so coverage can be confirmed and explained clearly.
• A comfortable care space
  Identify where your loved one feels most comfortable resting. Hospice will help arrange medical equipment and supplies to support care in that space.
• Family contacts and caregivers
  A list of family members or caregivers who should be involved in care updates and decision-making.
• Personal wishes and preferences
  Any known preferences about comfort, spiritual care, visitors, or daily routines. These details help shape a personalized plan of care.

What You Do Not Need to Worry About

Families are often relieved to learn that hospice helps coordinate many details, including medications, medical equipment, and ongoing care planning. You do not need to arrange everything on your own or have every answer upfront.

Our team will walk you through each step, explain what to expect, and adjust the plan as needs change.
Preparing for hospice is about creating a supportive environment, one that allows you to focus on comfort, connection, and meaningful moments together.

Conversations That Help Ease the Transition

Families often find it helpful to talk openly during this stage, even if the conversations feel difficult at first. These discussions may include:

• Comfort goals and wishes for care
• Preferences about location of care
• Spiritual or emotional needs
• Questions about medications, equipment, or visits
  You do not have to navigate these conversations alone. Our team is here to help guide them with compassion and clarity.

Practical Steps We Help With

When you choose Foundations Hospice, we assist with the practical details so you can focus on your loved one, not logistics.

We help by:

• Coordinating with physicians and referral sources
• Confirming hospice eligibility and insurance coverage
• Arranging medications, medical equipment, and supplies
• Explaining visit schedules and who will be involved in care
  Everything is explained in plain language, with time for questions.

Emotional Support for Families

Preparing for hospice care brings a wide range of emotions: relief, sadness, uncertainty, even guilt. These feelings are normal.

Our nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers support both patients and families during this stage. Whether you need reassurance, guidance, or simply someone to listen, you are not alone.

Preparing Early Creates Space for What Matters Most

Families who prepare for hospice earlier often experience less stress and fewer urgent decisions later. Early preparation allows:

• Better symptom management
• Clear expectations and communication
• More meaningful time together
• A calmer, more supported experience for everyone involved
  Hospice preparation is about choosing comfort, dignity, and support.