End-of-life conversations are some of the most important moments in healthcare. When introduced early and with intention, hospice care empowers patients and families to focus on comfort, dignity, and what matters most.
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about shifting the focus to symptom management, quality of life, and coordinated support for patients facing serious, life-limiting illness.
Medical professionals play a critical role in normalizing hospice as a supportive service rather than a last-minute decision. Early, compassionate conversations allow patients to make informed choices instead of reacting during a crisis.
Evidence shows that:
Effective hospice conversations:
Hospice teams partner closely with medical professionals to support symptom control, caregiver education, advance care planning, and emotional and spiritual well-being.
If you are caring for patients with advanced illness, frequent hospitalizations, or increasing symptom burden, we are here to support you. Our hospice team is available to collaborate, provide eligibility guidance, and help facilitate timely referrals.
Let’s start the heart-to-heart conversation before a crisis occurs.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Place of death: United States. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db473.htm
Teno, J. M., et al. (2013). Change in end-of-life care for Medicare beneficiaries. JAMA, 309(5), 470–477. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.207624
Bringing Comfort, Peace, and Togetherness to Every Setting
The holidays are a time for family, reflection, and love. For many individuals living in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities, home is where they are now—surrounded by compassionate caregivers and familiar faces.
Hospice care brings an added layer of comfort and support to make this season meaningful for everyone.
Hospice doesn’t replace the care already being provided—it complements it.
Together, facility staff and hospice professionals form one care team focused on:
Many families wait until after the holidays to consider hospice care—
but the truth is, this is when the support can make the biggest difference.
Hospice helps:
It may be time to explore hospice care if your loved one has:
Early introduction allows more time for meaningful support and improved quality of life.
If you’re unsure whether hospice is appropriate, talk with your facility nurse, social worker, or physician.
Our hospice team can provide a no-obligation consultation to explain available services, answer questions, and ensure comfort—through the holidays and beyond.
This holiday season, give your loved one the gift of comfort and peace.
Hospice helps make every moment matter—right where they are.
For many, a breast cancer diagnosis begins a journey of determination, resilience, and hope. When curative treatment is no longer effective, it does not mean surrender – it means the fight changes. Hospice care steps in to provide comfort, dignity, and peace, ensuring that every moment is lived fully and surrounded by support.
Our hospice team addresses:
Choosing hospice care is not about giving up – it is about focusing on what matters most. It is about rewriting hope: not for a cure, but for comfort, meaningful connections, and peace of mind for both patients and families.
If you or someone you love is facing advanced breast cancer, we are here to help. Talk with your physician or call us directly to learn how hospice can provide compassionate, comprehensive support in this next stage of care.
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American Cancer Society. (2025). Cancer facts & figures 2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-factsstatistics.html
Connor, S. R., Pyenson, B., Fitch, K., Spence, C., & Iwasaki, K. (2007). Comparing hospice and nonhospice patient survival among patients who die within a three-year window. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 33(3), 238–246.
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.
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.
