What does hospice care at home actually look like day to day?

Hospice care at home usually means a team visits on a schedule, typically a nurse a few times a week plus an aide, social worker and chaplain as needed, while the family or hired caregivers provide most of the day-to-day care between visits.

Who typically comes:

• A hospice nurse, who manages pain and symptoms and teaches the family what to do.
• A hospice aide, who may help with bathing and personal care a few times a week.
• A social worker and chaplain for emotional, practical and spiritual support.
• A hospice doctor who works with his own physician.

Hospice also usually provides medications related to the terminal illness, and equipment such as a hospital bed, wheelchair or oxygen, and supplies.

A nurse should be reachable by phone 24 hours a day. Ask for that number on the first day and call it first, instead of 911, when symptoms change, unless your hospice tells you otherwise.

What the family usually does: everyday care such as meals, toileting, turning in bed, giving medications as instructed, and keeping him company. Hospice generally does not provide round-the-clock aides, so many families add private help for longer hours or nights.

ProLife is not a hospice, but our aides can work alongside the hospice team for extra hours; call (718) 232-2777.