What are the first steps in hospice care?

What are the first steps in hospice care?

David Kessler (Director of Palliative Care, Citrus Valley Health Partners and Hospice) gives expert video advice on: What are the first steps in hospice care?; Where does hospice care take place?; Can my family and friends be involved in my hospice care? and more...

The first steps in providing hospice care is usually the nurse coming to your home, meeting with you and your family, and really deciding if it's time for hospice. If it is time for hospice, you'll begin the hospice admission procedure. She will do such things as look around, see what you might need in terms of: would a hospital bed be a good thing for you to have in the hospice at this time, or would you rather wait? Is there any other medical equipment that might be needed in the hospice? Some supplies, things of that nature. What medications might need to be ordered by the hospice? And hospice can begin fairly quickly. So many times, hospice begins on the spot. Other times, it may begin the next day or that evening, depending on the patient's needs.