Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death—especially in those who are already medically fragile. When sepsis progresses to an advanced stage and recovery is no longer possible, hospice care can offer patients and families comfort, clarity, and compassionate support.
End-stage sepsis—also known as septic shock or advanced sepsis—can occur suddenly and progress quickly. It is most dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, advanced age, cancer, or chronic conditions like kidney failure or diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year, and nearly 1 in 3 people who die in a hospital had sepsis during their hospitalization (CDC, 2023).
When a medical team determines that a patient is unlikely to recover, families are often left in a whirlwind of emotion and uncertainty. This is where hospice steps in.
Hospice care focuses on quality of life, not curative treatments. For patients with end-stage sepsis, hospice provides a peaceful environment where physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort are prioritized.
Here are some of the ways hospice can help:
1. Relief from Pain and Symptoms
Sepsis can cause intense pain, fever, shortness of breath, confusion, and rapid heart rate. Hospice clinicians are experts in symptom management, using medications and holistic interventions to keep patients as comfortable as possible.
2. 24/7 Support for Families
Hospice teams are available around the clock. Families are never alone in their journey—they receive support, education, and guidance on what to expect in the final days and hours.
3. Emotional and Spiritual Care
Facing the end of life can bring up many questions and emotions. Hospice social workers and chaplains provide emotional counseling and spiritual support tailored to each family’s beliefs and values.
4. Dignity and Peace
Rather than being hooked up to machines or in a sterile ICU, patients on hospice can be in a calm and familiar setting—often at home—surrounded by loved ones. This shift allows for a more peaceful transition.
Families often tell us that they wish they had called hospice sooner. One national study found that patients receiving hospice care had improved satisfaction and emotional support compared to those who did not (Teno et al., 2013). Hospice is not about giving up—it’s about giving families the gift of time, presence, and peace in the moments that matter most.
If your loved one is facing end-stage sepsis and aggressive treatment is no longer helping, hospice care may be the most compassionate next step.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time for hospice, we can help you navigate the process. Our team can collaborate with your physician to ensure your loved one receives the support they need.
Call us today for more information or to speak with one of our care professionals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Sepsis: Data & Reports. https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/datareports/index.html
Teno, J. M., Gozalo, P., Bynum, J. P., Leland, N. E., Miller, S. C., Morden, N. E., … & Mor, V. (2013). Change in end-of-life care for Medicare beneficiaries: Site of death, place of care, and health care transitions in 2000, 2005, and 2009. JAMA, 309(5), 470–477.
Choosing hospice for a patient or loved one can difficult. You may wonder: How do I know if hospice is right for them? or When is the right time to start hospice? We want to help you get the answers you need and the care your patient or loved one deserves.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of hospice care.
If you feel someone in your life could benefit from hospice care – or if you have any questions at all – please do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is always available to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more about the support our hospice care team can provide.
During National Hospital Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated doctors, nurses, case managers, and healthcare professionals who go above and beyond every day. Your tireless efforts provide healing, comfort, and hope to those in need – especially when life’s journey requires the highest level of care. As a hospice provider, we see firsthand the impact you make on patients and families. Your commitment to excellence and compassionate service allows us to work hand in hand, ensuring that every patient receives the dignity, comfort, and specialized care they deserve at every stage of their journey.
Thank you for your partnership, your expertise, and your dedication to our shared mission of caring for those who need it most.
Let’s continue working together to provide exceptional care – because every moment matters.
We are deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the dedicated staff at our partnering nursing homes. Your commitment to residents is invaluable, and we are honored to work alongside you to enhance their quality of life.
Research shows that strong collaboration between hospice providers and nursing homes leads to improved patient outcomes, higher family satisfaction, and better quality metrics. Here are some key statistics that highlight the impact of our partnership:
Your role in patient care is vital. Every day, you provide comfort, dignity, and support to residents and their families. As we celebrate National Nursing Home Week, we want to recognize your unwavering dedication and the compassionate care you provide.
We are always looking for ways to enhance our collaboration and better serve your residents. If there is anything we can do to support your team – whether through additional training, in-service education, or improving care coordination – please reach out.
Lets continue making a meaningful impact together. Call us anytime.
Thank you for all that you do to support your residents! We are honored to be your partner in care. Happy National Nursing Home Week!
References
Gozalo, P., Teno, J. M., Mitchell, S. L., Skinner, J., Bynum, J., Tyler, D., & Mor, V. (2018). Hospice effect
on government expenditures among nursing home residents. Health Services Research, 53(5), 3437-
3460.
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. (2019). Hospice services in Medicare: Report to Congress.
MedPAC. https://www.medpac.gov
Miller, S. C., Lima, J. C., & Intrator, O. (2020). Quality of hospice care in nursing homes: Family
perspectives. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(7), 900-907.
Teno, J. M., Gozalo, P., Trivedi, A. N., Mitchell, S. L., Bunker, J., Lima, J., & Mor, V. (2018). Site of death,
place of care, and health care transitions among U.S. Medicare beneficiaries, 2000-2015. JAMA,
320(3), 264-271.
Military families understand the meaning of sacrifice—both in service to the country and in caring for
their loved ones. Military caregivers embody selflessness, often providing unwavering support to aging or
terminally ill family members. As a hospice provider, we recognize the distinct challenges these caregivers
face and are dedicated to providing compassionate, specialized care that honors their journey.
The journey of a military caregiver is often shaped by resilience, routine relocations, and the profound
impact of service-related injuries or illnesses. Many veterans may face conditions linked to their service,
such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Agent Orange-related illnesses, and
service-connected disabilities. These factors require a hospice provider who is deeply attuned to the
complexities of military caregiving and the unique emotional, medical, and logistical needs of these
families.
Military caregivers face higher rates of stress, depression, and financial strain compared to civilian caregivers (Ramchand et al., 2014). According to the RAND Corporation, military caregivers provide an average of 10+ additional hours of care per week compared to non-military caregivers, often navigating complex health conditions related to service (Ramchand et al., 2014). Furthermore, up to 30% of post-9/11 military caregivers experience clinically significant mental health challenges while supporting their loved ones (Tanielian et al., 2018). Our hospice services alleviate this burden by offering comprehensive, holistic support to both the patient and caregiver.
Medical professionals play a crucial role in guiding military families toward the specialized hospice care they deserve. If you are a provider caring for a veteran or military family, consider referring them to our hospice services to ensure:
If you are a medical provider, we invite you to refer military caregivers and their loved ones to our hospice program. If you are a military caregiver, we are here to walk this journey with you. Call us today to learn how we can support you and your loved one.
We salute your service and honor your sacrifice—both in uniform and in caregiving.
References
Ramchand, R., Tanielian, T., Fisher, M. P., Vaughan, C. A., Trail, T. E., Epley, C., & Robbins, M. W. (2014). Hidden heroes: America’s military caregivers. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR499.html
Tanielian, T., Ramchand, R., Fisher, M. P., Sims, C. S., Harris, R., & Harrell, M. C. (2018). Military Caregivers: Cornerstones of Support for Our Nation’s Wounded, Ill, and Injured Veterans. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9937.html
Download a copy of this article here.
Hospice care is built upon a foundation of compassion, dignity, and support – not only for the patient but also for their family and loved ones. While medical teams provide expert pain and symptom management, hospice volunteers bring an irreplaceable level of companionship, emotional support, and non-medical assistance that enhances quality of life in the final stages.
Despite their essential role, many healthcare professionals are unaware of just how much volunteers contribute to hospice care. This is where we stand apart – our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Our dedicated hospice volunteers extend their care in profound ways that benefit both patients and their loved ones, including:
Research shows that volunteer involvement in hospice care has a measurable impact:
Many hospice providers mention volunteers in passing, but few truly leverage them as a core part of their care model. Our hospice program prioritizes volunteer integration in ways that make a tangible difference, ensuring:
Choosing the right hospice provider for your patients means selecting a team that goes beyond symptom management – it means selecting a provider that values the whole-person approach, including the emotional and psychosocial support volunteers bring.
Refer your patients to a hospice that treats volunteers as an essential part of the care team. Contact us today to learn more about how our hospice services stand apart.
Candy, B., France, R., Low, J., Sampson, E. L., & Vickerstaff, V. (2020). Does involving volunteers in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care improve patient and family well-being? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(2), 302-312.
Connor, S. R., Pyenson, B., Fitch, K., Spence, C., & Iwasaki, K. (2019). Comparing hospice and nonhospice patient survival among patients who die within a three-year window. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 40(5), 704-710.
Ghesquiere, A., Hauser, J., & Schulz, R. (2021). Family caregiver burden and hospice use: The impact of volunteer support. The Gerontologist, 61(1), 108-117.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). (2023). NHPCO facts and figures: Hospice care in America. https://www.nhpco.org/hospice_statistics
Download a copy of this article here.
Vietnam Veterans have a distinct set of needs at the end of life, and we are honored to provide care that respects their service and sacrifices. Our compassionate team is skilled in addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, including the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
1. Recognize the Need: Refer patients who could benefit from pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care.
2. Contact Us: Call us to learn how we can collaborate.
3. Submit the Referral: Once we communicate, we will coordinate the next steps seamlessly.
Let’s work together to give Vietnam Veterans the respect and care they deserve during their final chapter.
Every April, we take time to recognize Patient Experience Week, a vital healthcare observance that highlights the commitment of providers, caregivers, and referral partners in delivering compassionate, high-quality care. For those of us in hospice care, this week is a special opportunity to express gratitude for the invaluable collaboration of medical professions like you – who trust us to provide comfort, dignity, and peace to patients during life’s most vulnerable moments.
When a patient is facing a terminal illness, their journey should be met with the highest level of comfort, respect, and support. The decision to refer a patient to hospice is never easy, but together, we ensure that their transition is seamless, compassionate, and focused on quality of life. By working closely with physicians, hospital discharge planners, skilled nursing facilities, and other healthcare partners, we:
Research consistently shows that patients who receive hospice care earlier in their disease trajectory experience higher quality of life, improved symptom control, and better family satisfaction (Teno et al., 2016). Studies also highlight that coordinated transitions to hospice can significantly reduce unwanted hospitalizations and aggressive treatments at the end-of-life, allowing patients to spend their final days in the place they prefer – whether at home, in a hospice residence, or a long-term care facility (Dixon et al., 2015).
Moreover, patient-centered communication and collaboration between referring providers and hospice teams lead to a 70% improvement in satisfaction among families and caregivers (Connor et al., 2020). This statistic underscores the critical role of partnerships in hospice care – ensuring every patient’s experience is defined by comfort, dignity, and peace.
Your dedication to patient-centered care does not go unnoticed. By partnering with our hospice team, you ensure that patients and families receive the respect, comfort, and guidance they deserve in life’s most precious moments. Your referrals make a profound difference – not only in the quality of care provided but in the lasting impact on the families left behind.
This Patient Experience Week, we celebrate you. Thank you for entrusting us with your patients and for your unwavering commitment to their well-being.
If you’d like to discuss how we can further streamline referrals, improve patient transitions, or provide additional support, we are here for you.
Let’s continue working together to make every patient’s experience one of dignity, peace, and compassionate care.
Connor, S. R., Teno, J., Spence, C., & Smith, N. (2020). Family perceptions of quality in hospice care: Findings from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Family Evaluation of Hospice Care Survey. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(4), 719-725.
Dixon, J., King, D., Matosevic, T., Clark, M., & Knapp, M. (2015). Equity in the provision of palliative care in the UK: Review of evidence. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 18(1), 3-15.
Teno, J. M., Gozalo, P. L., Bynum, J. P., Leland, N. E., Miller, S. C., Morden, N. E., & Mor, V. (2016). Change in end-of-life care for Medicare beneficiaries: Site of death, place of care, and health care transitions in 2000, 2005, and 2009. JAMA, 309(5), 470-477.
Download a copy of this article here.
