From Hospital To Home

By Sarah Hughes, BSN, RN

Hospice of the Chesapeake

. https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/

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From Hospital To Home

What To Expect When Choosing Hospice During a Hospital Stay

Another ER visit, another admission, another sleepless night in a chair beside your loved one’s bed. Somewhere along the way, the question in the room quietly shifted. It’s no longer, “What’s the next treatment?” but, “How do we make the time that’s left as comfortable as possible?” The doctor mentions hospice, and suddenly you’re exhausted and unsure. Here’s a step-by-step look behind the scenes, from someone who walks families through it every day.

Step 1: The Consult 

Once a hospital care team believes hospice may be appropriate, they place a consult. A hospice liaison reaches out to meet with the patient and family, often within hours.

Step 2: Goals Of Care

That first meeting is a conversation, not paperwork. We talk about what matters most right now and assess the appropriate level of care. Some families have already decided hospice is right; others simply want to understand their options. Conditions can change quickly, so it’s best to gather information early.

Step 3: Level Of Care

Some patients are stable enough to go home. Others need inpatient hospice, in the hospital or at an inpatient care center for intensive symptom management. This can shift day to day, so we continue to reevaluate.

Step 4: Confer With Specialists

We thoroughly review hospital records and communicate with any specialists involved. The goal is to make sure the plan reflects the patient’s wishes while prioritizing comfort and quality of life.

Step 5: Preparing For Discharge

We coordinate with the hospital’s discharge team to arrange transportation, order equipment like a hospital bed or oxygen, and send comfort medications home in case symptoms arise before the pharmacy delivers the rest the next day. Meanwhile, families are rearranging furniture and thinking through home safety. This can take some time, and that’s normal.

Step 6: Discharge Day

We aim for the hospice admission nurse to arrive the same day you’re discharged, so there’s no gap in care.

Step 7: Becoming the Caregiver

The biggest shift is moving from round-the-clock hospital staff to becoming the primary caregiver, with hospice supporting and guiding you rather than being there every hour. Help is always just a phone call away, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Any question is legitimate. It doesn’t have to be an emergency.

It’s Okay To Ask the Same Questions

Choosing hospice does not mean giving up. It means focusing on the person in front of you, surrounded by the people and place they know, rather than noisy equipment in an unfamiliar environment. Families often find relief once pain and other symptoms are eased. If stress makes it hard to absorb everything, please ask again. We’re happy to review the plan as many times as you need.

A Different Kind Of Care

Asking about hospice is not a failure. It’s a different kind of care, built on comfort, dignity, and presence. It’s our honor to help families through every stage of this journey. Whatever you’re feeling right now, all of your emotions are valid. We’re here to help you navigate whatever comes next.