Provider Resources
Having the Hospice ConversationAs a medical professional, you cannot predict how soon your patient will die, but you do know when a cure is not possible. Hospice stresses comfort and quality of life once an illness is incurable. Patients and families are reluctant to use hospice, but they are more likely to use the service when they talk with their doctors about hospice.
Tips for having the conversation:
- Begin the conversation by gauging their understanding of the medical condition
- Find out what things are important to the patient, such as avoiding hospitalization, spending time with family or other things of meaning to the patient
- Approach hospice by explaining the philosophy and then the benefits to patient and family, instead of listing services
• Hospice is about living and having quality of life in the face of a terminal illness
• Hospice is the only Medicare benefit that provides services for the entire family
• Hospice can allow the patient to stay home with friends and family
• Hospice can take some of the stress from loved ones providing care
• Hospice is about giving the patient control over the time they have remaining
We Are Here to Help
Community can help you with the hospice conversation. Our staff can explain hospice, answer patient questions and be your resource for hospice information and education. Below, you will find materials that may help you have the hospice conversation.