Hospice Basics
Common Myths About Hospice Care
Debunking common misconceptions about hospice care to help you make informed decisions.
Read guide →A guide to initiating the conversation, asking the right questions, and advocating for your loved one's comfort and quality of life.
Written and reviewed by a board-certified hospice & palliative medicine physician
Last reviewed:
8 min read
Having a conversation with your doctor about hospice care can feel overwhelming. You may worry about how to bring it up, what questions to ask, or whether your doctor will be supportive. The good news is that most doctors are very familiar with hospice and understand its benefits. This guide will help you prepare for that conversation and advocate effectively for your loved one.
There's no "perfect" time to discuss hospice, but certain situations make it more appropriate:
If your doctor brings up hospice, they're likely seeing signs that it may be appropriate. This is often a good time to have an open discussion about what hospice offers and whether it's right for your situation.
If your loved one is being hospitalized repeatedly or visiting the emergency room often, it may indicate that current treatments aren't effectively managing symptoms. Hospice can help manage these symptoms at home.
When treatments are causing more discomfort than benefit, or when the focus shifts from curing to comfort, it's appropriate to discuss hospice as an option.
If your loved one has expressed a desire to stop aggressive treatments and focus on quality of life, or if you're feeling that way on their behalf, it's time to have the conversation.
Starting the conversation can feel awkward, but remember: you're advocating for your loved one's comfort and quality of life. Here are some ways to begin:
You might say: "I've been thinking about hospice care for [loved one's name]. Their quality of life seems to be declining, and I'm wondering if hospice might help them be more comfortable. What are your thoughts?"
You might say: "I know we've been focused on treatment, but I'm concerned about [loved one's name] comfort and quality of life. I've heard hospice can help with that. Can we talk about whether it might be appropriate?"
You might say: "I know it's hard to predict, but what's your best estimate of [loved one's name] prognosis? I'm wondering if we should be thinking about hospice care."
You might say: "I'm worried that [loved one's name] is suffering, and I want to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep them comfortable. Is hospice something we should consider?"
You might say: "Do you think [loved one's name] meets the criteria for hospice care?"
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