How to Prepare for Hospice: What Families Need to Know
3 sections · Expert-curated · Free
What Hospice Actually Provides
Registered nurse visits (typically 2-3 t...
24/7 phone support for emergencies
Home health aide for bathing and persona...
Medical equipment: hospital bed, wheelch...
Medications related to the terminal diag...
+2 more
How to Prepare
Confirm advance directives are signed an...
Choose a funeral home before you need on...
Get power of attorney while they are sti...
Gather financial and legal documents
Know what to do when death occurs (call ...
+1 more
Common Misconceptions
Hospice does NOT mean giving up — it mea...
You CAN leave hospice if the patient imp...
Hospice patients often live LONGER than ...
You can still see your regular doctor wh...
Track your progress — assign tasks, check things off, share with family
Get my planWhat Hospice Actually Provides
Most families underestimate the scope of hospice services.
Registered nurse visits (typically 2-3 times per week)
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24/7 phone support for emergencies
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Home health aide for bathing and personal care
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Medical equipment: hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen
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Medications related to the terminal diagnosis
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Social worker and chaplain visits
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Bereavement counseling for the family (up to 13 months after death)
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How to Prepare
Do these things while you still have time.
Confirm advance directives are signed and accessible
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Choose a funeral home before you need one
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Get power of attorney while they are still competent
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Gather financial and legal documents
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Know what to do when death occurs (call hospice, not 911)
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Capture memories: record stories, take photos, write letters
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Common Misconceptions
Things most people get wrong about hospice.
Hospice does NOT mean giving up — it means focusing on quality of life
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
You CAN leave hospice if the patient improves
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Hospice patients often live LONGER than those who continue aggressive treatment
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You can still see your regular doctor while on hospice
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hospice free?
For most people, yes. Medicare covers hospice at 100% with no copay. Medicaid and most private insurance also cover it fully. You may pay a small copay for prescription medications (usually $5 or less per prescription).
Can you leave hospice?
Yes. You can revoke hospice at any time and return to curative treatment. You can also re-enroll in hospice later if needed.
How long does hospice last?
Hospice is for patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less, but there is no hard cutoff. If the patient lives longer, hospice can be renewed in 60-day or 90-day periods as long as they still qualify.
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