When to start thinking about hospice

A conversation people often wait too long to have

Many families do not bring in hospice care until the final weeks or days, even though starting earlier can mean months of additional support and quality time, not less.

This is a conversation worth having with your doctor as circumstances change, rather than something to wait on until there's a crisis.

Hospice isn't only for the final days

Hospice care can continue for months and is revisited over time as the situation changes. It is a choice about the kind of care and support wanted, not a one-time cutoff you can't come back from.

Your doctor and a hospice team look at the specific situation together. Questions about timing and whether it fits your circumstances are worth asking early, directly, and more than once if things change.

It's usually not as expensive as people expect

Hospice is a source of real worry about cost, but for many families it is not the expense they assume. Medicare Part A typically covers hospice services related to the illness with little to no out-of-pocket cost, and Medicaid and many private insurance plans also cover hospice care.

Coverage details vary by plan and situation, so this is worth confirming directly with your specific hospice provider and insurance rather than assuming either way.

Questions worth asking early, not after a crisis

A short list to bring to your doctor or a hospice provider directly:

• What would hospice change about our day-to-day care right now?
• What's covered by our insurance or Medicare, and what isn't?
• Can we start now and adjust later if things change?
• Who do we call to have someone come evaluate the situation?

Where to find local hospice options

CareKeeper does not evaluate or recommend specific providers. These outside directories can help you find and compare hospice and home care options in your area.