What's the difference between hospice and palliative care?

Palliative care can happen alongside treatment at any stage of a serious illness. Hospice is for when treatment is no longer the goal and comfort is.

How quickly can hospice care start?

Once eligibility is confirmed, care can typically begin within a day or two, sometimes sooner.

Will my loved one's regular doctor still be involved?

Yes. Your doctor can stay involved in care alongside the hospice team.

What does the hospice team actually do day to day?

Visits vary based on need, from regular nursing, aide, social work, and spiritual care visits to on-call support for questions or changes at any hour.

Is hospice only for the final days of life?

No. Hospice can support someone for months, and starting earlier often means more time to benefit from the support available.

Guidance for wherever you are in this journey.

Whether you're just starting to ask questions or you're deep in caregiving, these resources meet you where you are.

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Guidance for wherever you are in this journey.

Caregiver guides and checklists

Signs That It's Time for Hospice Care

How to Prepare Someone for Hospice

10 Common Hospice Diagnosis

What Hospice Means for Dementia

Understanding the Hospice Care Team: Who Is Involved?

Stories of hope

What Families Wish They Knew Sooner About Hospice Care

Sewing Season: How A Group of Volunteers Creates Hospice Gowns That Honor Every Life

Is It Time for Hospice? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Quiet Presence, Lasting Impact: How Chaplains Support Everyday Life at Vivie

Healing, Holding, and Hope: Walking with Families Through Grief

What Makes Care Meaningful at Every Stage

The Most Common Hospice Diagnoses You Should Know

When is Someone Ready for Hospice?

Linda Carey’s Journey with Hospice Care

Downloadable guides and resources

Myths About Hospice

Grief Support Groups

Finding your way through grief

Bereavement resources

Navigating grief and loss

Pillars of self-care during grief

An overview of your hospice team

Caregiver’s guide to Journey’s End

The truth about morphine

Hospice enriching services

Hospice: What to expect

Hospice FAQs

Hospice in assisted living

Frequently asked questions