What factors should one consider before using hospice?

Sorry to hear about your great aunt. Your doctor has to give an order to be admitted into hospice, and you have to be dying from an incurable condition. Hospice can be provided at home or at the hospice house. Hospice at home can begin when you decide to refuse further treatment for your condition and just want to be kept comfortable. You don’t get admitted to the hospice house itself until your family can no longer take care of you at home or unless the end is very near.

You can call your local VNA or your great aunt’s doctor’s office for more information. Her doctor’s office won’t be able to give you information about her health, but should be able to give you information about hospice.

Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that hospice programs are absolutely amazing. I’ve never heard anything less from the family members of those who have passed on. The people who work in hospice are wonderful, sensitive, amazing people who make the process easier than you’d ever think anyone could.