What Happens During a Hospice Admission Visit?

Choosing hospice is an important decision, and knowing what to expect can make the first visit feel a little easier.

Hospice is a Medicare benefit available to eligible patients, regardless of income. It provides specialized care focused on comfort, quality of life, and support for both the patient and the people who care about them. Learn more about Medicare Hospice Benefits here.

A hospice admission visit typically takes place wherever the patient calls home. A Pathways nurse will meet with the patient and the people they would like involved in their care. The goal is to learn more about what is happening, answer questions, complete the admission process, and begin putting the right support in place.

During the visit, the nurse will:

Talk with you about what has been happening medically and what matters most to you right now.
Review medications, symptoms, safety concerns, and current care needs.
Explain how hospice works, including the services available to the patient and family and how to reach the hospice team 24/7.
Discuss equipment, medications, supplies, and other support that may be needed.
Begin developing a plan of care based on the patient’s individual needs and goals.

There will also be plenty of time for questions. Hospice care is a choice, and we want patients and families to understand the care they are choosing and feel comfortable with what happens next.

What are hospice consents?
As part of the admission process, the patient or their legal decision-maker will be asked to review and sign hospice consent forms. These forms confirm the choice to receive hospice care and explain important information about the hospice benefit, the care Pathways will provide, and the patient’s rights and responsibilities.

Your nurse will walk through the forms with you, explain what you are signing, and answer questions along the way. You do not need to understand hospice paperwork before the visit. That is our job.

A Few More Common Questions

How long does a hospice admission visit take?
Every visit is different, but most take about 1½ to 2 hours. Your nurse will take the time needed to answer questions and make sure you feel prepared for what comes next.

Who should be there?
The patient and the person legally authorized to make healthcare decisions, if applicable, should be present. Other family members, friends, or caregivers are welcome to participate if the patient would like them involved.

What should we have available?
If possible, have current medications, insurance information, advance directives or medical power of attorney documents, and other important healthcare paperwork available.

Does hospice care start that day?
It can! Once the patient is admitted to hospice, the Pathways team begins coordinating care and putting the plan in place.

Who is on the hospice care team?
Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team overseen by Pathways’ medical director. Your case manager is a registered nurse who works alongside hospice aides, social workers, chaplains or spiritual care providers, and volunteers. Pathways also offers additional support such as music and art therapy, specialized care for veterans, and bereavement support. Your care team is built around your individual needs, goals, and preferences.

What if symptoms become too difficult to manage at home?
Pathways has its own Inpatient Care Center, or PICC, designed specifically for hospice patients. Think of it as hospital-level care for hospice patients when symptoms require intensive management that cannot be provided in the current setting. The PICC can also provide short-term respite care when appropriate.

Learn more here >> What Is Inpatient Hospice Care? Inside Pathways' Inpatient Care Center

Do you offer grief support?
Yes. Pathways provides bereavement support to family members and loved ones before and after a death. Our bereavement team offers individual support, grief education, support groups, and other resources to help people navigate loss. Your hospice team can connect you with the support that best fits your needs.

How do I know I am choosing a high-quality hospice?
Hospice providers are not all the same, and there are objective measures that can help patients and families understand the quality of care a hospice provides.

Learn more here >> Quality Measured Through the Eyes of Families We've Served and here >> Beyond the Standard: Why ACHC Accreditation Matters

What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Both hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, quality of life, and support for people living with serious illness. Palliative care can be provided alongside treatment intended to cure or manage an illness. Hospice care is for people who are approaching the end of life and have chosen to focus on comfort rather than treatment intended to cure their terminal illness.

What if we have questions after the nurse leaves?
Call us. Pathways is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want you to reach out whenever you have questions, concerns, or a change in condition.

Can I change my mind about hospice?
Yes. Hospice is always your choice. You can choose to stop hospice care at any time. If you remain eligible and decide hospice is right for you again later, you can elect hospice again. Your hospice team can explain what changing your election means for your Medicare coverage and help you understand your options.

What happens next?
Your hospice team will begin connecting with you based on the plan of care developed during admission. We will make sure you know who is involved, how to reach us, and what to expect in the days ahead.

We Know This Is a Big Decision
Choosing hospice is a significant moment in the life of a patient and family. There may be questions, uncertainty, relief, sadness, or all of those things at once.

You do not have to have everything figured out before we arrive. Our job is to listen, answer your questions, help you understand your choices, and make sure you know what to expect. If you choose Pathways, it is our privilege to walk alongside you.

We are honored to be considered for your care.

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