Why Families Shouldn’t Navigate Hospice Decisions Alone

For families facing hospice decisions, the weight of uncertainty can feel crushing. What does hospice provide? When is the right time? How do you choose the right agency? These are questions no family should have to answer alone.

How Nurse Navigators Support Families:

• Explain hospice eligibility and services in plain language.

• Guide families through choosing a hospice agency.

• Ensure comfort, dignity, and coordinated care.

• Offer emotional support during one of life’s hardest transitions.

Real-Life Advocacy Examples:

• Sit in on hospice intake meetings to make sure the family fully understands what services are included (and what isn’t).

• Help families compare hospice agencies, weighing staffing ratios, philosophies of care, and reputation in the community.

• Ensure advanced care directives are discussed, documented, and respected.

• Provide emotional coaching so families know what to expect and feel supported every step of the way.

• Remain available as care begins, checking in to confirm the patient’s comfort and the family’s needs are being met.

Compassion in Action:
Hospice is about more than end-of-life - it’s about preserving quality, honoring wishes, and supporting families. Having a nurse advocate ensures no detail is missed and no family feels abandoned.