Practical Guides
Your First Week of Hospice
What to expect during the first week of hospice care.
Read guide →A practical checklist to help you prepare for hospice care, including questions to ask, documents to gather, and steps to take before hospice begins.
Written and reviewed by a board-certified hospice & palliative medicine physician
Last reviewed:
Get physician's certification for hospice eligibility
Your doctor needs to certify that your loved one has a life-limiting illness with a 6-month prognosis.
Research providers in your area
Use our directory to find providers that serve your city or county.
Compare quality ratings
Check CMS star ratings, CAHPS scores, and Google reviews.
Verify insurance coverage
Confirm that Medicare, Medicaid, or your insurance covers hospice.
Call 2-3 providers to ask questions
Use our "Questions to Ask" guide to prepare for these calls.
Check for special programs you need
Veterans programs, pediatric care, dementia expertise, Spanish-speaking support, etc.
Medicare/Medicaid card
Or private insurance card if applicable.
Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
For patient identification.
Advance directives (if you have them)
Living will, healthcare power of attorney, DNR orders.
Current medication list
All medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors.
Medical history summary
Recent hospitalizations, diagnoses, treatments.
Contact information for primary physician
Name, phone number, and office address.
Emergency contact list
Family members, close friends, and their phone numbers.
Choose the best room for care
Ground floor, near bathroom, well-lit, accessible.
Clear space for hospital bed and equipment
Hospice will provide the bed, but you need space ready.
Remove tripping hazards
Throw rugs, clutter, cords—make pathways clear.
Ensure good lighting
Especially in hallways and the care room.
Set up a medication area
Small table or cart for medications and supplies.
Prepare for equipment delivery
Make sure someone is home to receive deliveries.
Have a family meeting
Discuss hospice decision, roles, and expectations.
Assign caregiving roles
Who will be primary caregiver, who can help with specific tasks.
Plan for support
Identify friends, family, or community resources who can help.
Talk to children (if applicable)
Age-appropriate conversations about what's happening.
Prepare for emotional challenges
Know that hospice teams provide emotional support too.
Before the first hospice visit, think about these questions you may want to ask:
Explore related hospice topics and practical family guidance.
Practical Guides
What to expect during the first week of hospice care.
Read guide →Understanding Hospice Care
Learn about the four levels of hospice care: routine, continuous, inpatient, and respite care, and when each is used.
Read guide →Understanding Hospice Care
Understand how medications work in hospice care, pain management strategies, and the family's role in medication administration.
Read guide →Explore hospice providers and care options for families across Texas.