It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about beginning hospice. While it’s often associated with end-of-life care, hospice care also provides comfort, guidance, and support for both patients and their families during this challenging time. 

Taking the time to ask questions and understand what hospice offers can help you make a more informed and confident decision about your loved one’s care. 

In this blog, we’re sharing important questions to discuss with your loved one as you begin considering hospice care.

Is now the right time to begin hospice?

Deciding when to begin hospice is one of the biggest questions many families face. Hospice is designed to support individuals with a life-limiting illness who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment. 

Instead of trying to cure an illness, hospice manages pain and other symptoms to help improve quality of life. Every hospice journey is unique, and care is personalized based on their preferences and individual needs. 

Families don’t have to make this decision on their own. Your loved one’s trusted physicians and the hospice care team can help determine if hospice may be appropriate based on their current condition, goals for care, and overall needs.

To help you prepare for this transition, consider discussing these questions:

• Does my loved one want to focus on their comfort and quality of life instead of continuing curative treatments?
• Are my loved one’s symptoms becoming more difficult to manage on our own at home?
• Could our family benefit from the guidance and support hospice provides?

Discussing questions like these with your loved one and your family members can help your family explore your hospice care options. Talking to a hospice provider like Northern Illinois Hospice can help you determine when it’s time to start hospice services based on your loved one’s personal needs and goals.

Anyone can make a referral to hospice. If your loved one’s condition has declined and you’re wondering if hospice makes sense, you may call Northern Illinois Hospice at any time to request an assessment and information. 

If your loved one is not yet appropriate for hospice services, Northern Illinois Palliative Care supports individuals navigating progressive serious illness until hospice is needed. 

Have my loved one’s goals for care changed?

Another important topic of discussion is your loved one’s healthcare goals. Every person has their own priorities, preferences, and wishes when it comes to end-of-life care. Some people may want to receive care at home, focus on managing pain and other symptoms, or seek additional emotional and spiritual support. Quality of life and comfort are often top of mind.

Understanding what matters most to your loved one can help you honor their wishes and collaborate with their hospice care team to develop a personalized care plan that reflects their individual needs.

Asking the following questions can help you better understand your loved one’s current wishes. 

These discussions can allow your loved one to express how they feel, so everyone understands their priorities and can work together to care for them.

Consider asking questions to better understand your loved one’s wishes: 

• What is most important to you right now?
• Have your health care goals changed?
• Would you like to prioritize comfort over treatment for your life-limiting illness?

Listening to and acknowledging their goals can help you advocate for their wishes and ensure their care aligns with what matters most to them.  

What kind of support does my family need right now?

Hospice services extend to caregivers and their families, so they can receive the support they need as they navigate their loved one’s hospice journey. Over time, caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can become physically and emotionally demanding. Hospice offers caregivers supportive and hands-on education, bereavement counseling, and more.  

Before beginning hospice, it’s helpful to discuss the kinds of support that would benefit your loved one’s entire family.

• What would help us feel more supported during this time?
• Where could we use additional help?
• Are there any responsibilities we could use help managing?

Open and honest discussions about the type of support you need can help your family better understand how hospice can provide compassionate care, emotional support, and education to help you care for your loved one.

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 to provide compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one. 

As the most experienced provider in the area, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people transition to hospice care for nearly 50 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 services to improve your loved one’s quality of life.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals are here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support.