More Time With the People You Love: Why Earlier Hospice Referrals Matter

By Kylie Taylor, Director of Access and Patient Experience

Hospice of the Chesapeake

. https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/

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More Time With the People You Love: Why Earlier Hospice Referrals Matter

The secret to hospice care is that it shouldn’t be a secret. 

Hospice is designed for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. But too often, people are referred to hospice care in their final days or final hours. 

When that happens, patients and families miss out on the full value of what hospice provides—an interdisciplinary team that supports not just physical needs, but emotional, spiritual, and practical needs.

This team includes nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers. Together, they create a wraparound approach to care. But that level of support takes more than a few days to establish. When a patient is only on hospice for a few days, there isn’t enough time to build relationships, provide education, or fully manage symptoms. 

Getting to know you

With earlier referrals, we can proactively manage pain, breathing issues, nausea, and other symptoms before they become crises. We can ensure necessary equipment such as a hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen and more is in place. We have time to help caregivers feel confident in their role. Just as importantly, we have time to create a care plan for what matters most to the patient and their family.

Hospice does not mean giving up hope. It means redefining it. For some, hope looks like comfort. For others, it means spending meaningful time with loved ones or continuing to do the things they enjoy. When patients enter hospice earlier, they are often still able to participate in these decisions, helping guide their own care. That opportunity is often lost with late referrals.

Help for caregivers

Hospice also provides critical support for families. Without it, many caregivers find themselves in crisis at the end of life, unsure of what to expect or how to help. With earlier involvement, we can provide education about the natural process of dying, replacing fear with understanding. Families gain confidence, form relationships with the care team, and can focus less on managing symptoms and more on being present.

This support also shapes the grief journey. With more time, families can begin processing their loss and have access to counselors and chaplains who help them navigate difficult emotions. Instead of feeling overwhelmed at the end, they feel more prepared and supported.

What matters most

One of the biggest barriers to earlier hospice referrals is misunderstanding. Many people, including healthcare providers, still see hospice as something to consider only when there are no other options. In truth, hospice is about focusing on what matters most and improving quality of life.

I often tell families: I have never heard anyone say they wish they had waited longer to start hospice. What I hear instead is, “I wish we had called sooner.”

If hospice has crossed your mind, it’s worth having the conversation. Because the earlier it begins, the more it can offer to patients and the people who love them.