Should I Wait for a Doctor to Recommend Hospice Care?

Oftentimes doctors wait too long to recommend hospice care. Many doctors have a reluctance to discuss end-of-life care and some fear they will discourage a patient's hope. Waiting to make a hospice referral until a disease has advanced results in missing out on months of personalized care and support to enhance quality of life. In addition, waiting until the need for hospice care becomes urgent makes the process more stressful for everyone involved. By starting early, you can focus on what matters most— living life to the fullest.

If you think you and your family could benefit from the support of home care visits from a team who specialize in pain and symptom management, personal care and medication management, as well as emotional and spiritual support, proactively ask your doctor if hospice might be something to consider now, or in the near future. You can also call hospice directly. The earlier you reach out, the more we can help. A hospice specialist will contact your doctor to ensure you meet eligibility criteria.