If you struggle to talk about hospice, you’re not alone. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to even say the word “hospice” out loud, so when it comes time to have a conversation about beginning hospice, it can be overwhelming. Talking about hospice sooner can help your loved one receive the care and support they need right away.

Choosing a caring hospice provider, like Northern Illinois Hospice, can make a big difference by making the process a lot easier. All you have to do is contact us, and we’ll take care of the rest. But first, you may need to talk more about hospice with your loved one and other family members. 

In this blog, we’ve compiled a few tips to help get the conversation started. 

Shift the way you think about hospice 

Unfortunately, several common misconceptions about hospice care circulate, so it’s important to remember what hospice is truly about. 

One of the most common misconceptions is that hospice means you’re giving up, but that’s not true at all. Choosing hospice prioritizes comfort and dignity to enhance your loved one’s quality of life. Your loved one’s hospice care team supports their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, so their care centers on what matters most to them. 

Another common myth about hospice care is that it’s reserved for life’s final moments. A physician can refer anyone with a life-limiting illness to hospice care, and they can receive hospice care for as long as they need. When the focus shifts from curative treatments to comfort care, your loved one’s quality of life can improve. 

Shifting your perspective on what hospice is and how it supports your loved one can help you reframe the conversation to talk about how they can be best supported with hospice services. 

Talk to your loved one about what matters most to them 

Talking about hospice can feel overwhelming in the beginning, especially when you start thinking about all the medical decisions. Instead of starting there, you may find it helpful to ease into the conversation by asking your loved one about their goals and priorities.

Since every hospice journey is unique, your loved one’s hospice team uses their goals and priorities to create a personalized care plan. The care plan is always evolving, so if their preferences change, you can talk to the care team about it.

When you first start talking about hospice, you can ask questions like:  

• What brings you joy?
• How do you want to spend your time?
• What do you need to feel comforted and supported?

Having conversations about these things can help ensure your loved one’s care plan fits their needs while honoring their wishes. Continuing to frame the conversation around their individual needs and wishes can help them feel like they’re actively contributing to their care. 

Use the resources available to you 

While you’re navigating this new journey with your loved one, you may feel overwhelmed at times. When you need extra support, Northern Illinois Hospice has the resources you need as a caregiver. The hospice team is there for you just as much as they are for your loved one. 

One of our most valuable resources is The Reading Room. We’ve created an online space where you can learn and grow in your understanding of hospice and palliative care. We provide dozens of articles and helpful how-to videos in both English and Spanish, available to you anytime and anywhere. It’s like having a small library in the palm of your hand. 

Using some of the resources may clarify misinformation and help you better understand what to expect during this difficult time. This may help guide your conversations so you feel more confident talking to your loved one about hospice. 

Northern Illinois Hospice is here to provide compassionate end-of-life care 

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we understand that every hospice journey is unique, which is why each care plan is tailored to the person’s goals and wishes. We take that information and create a team of individuals that can provide compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one. 

As the first hospice provider in the region, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people transition to hospice care for more than 45 years. Our care team provides compassionate end-of-life care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

We honor patients and their wishes by providing specialized care that treats the person, not the disease. We offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life in their final months.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and volunteers is here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support. 

To learn more about our palliative or hospice services or how we can help you navigate end-of-life care for your loved ones, call us today at (815) 398-0500.