Insights
Communicating with Your Hospice Care Team
Your hospice care team is a group of professionals who are all committed to helping you manage pain and other symptoms while also focusing on quality of life. Communicating with your team is an essential part of hospice care, and here are four things to keep in mind to help ensure your needs are met.
Be honest about your wishes. Remember to communicate your end-of-life wishes to your hospice care team so everyone is on the same page. If something is on your mind, you should always feel comfortable bringing it up and asking for more information or clarification. Think about the things that are most important to you and be sure to tell them to your care team.
Continue to have conversations. Your hospice care team is there to ensure your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or continue conversations. As your end-of-life journey progresses, your questions and needs will understandably change. Creating open lines of communication can make it easier to advocate for yourself and get the information you need. You can have a family member or loved one present with you. Not only can this person provide support, but they also might have something additional to ask that you didn’t think of.
Talk with your whole team. Your hospice care team will include a variety of members, from physicians and nurses to social workers and counselors. Although everyone on your team is united in their goal of providing you with the best possible care, each person has their own strengths. If you have questions related to your physical needs, rely on your physician and nurse. If you’re seeking spiritual guidance or are feeling overwhelmed emotionally, try reaching out to a chaplain, grief counselor or social worker.
Take notes and keep track of questions. You may not always feel like you’re in the right frame of mind to have serious conversations, and that’s OK. Try to jot down questions you want to save for later so you don’t forget what specific information you’re hoping to learn. It can also be helpful to take notes when communicating with your care team, especially when you’re receiving a lot of information at once. Notes will not only help you remember what was discussed, but you’ll also have a resource if you’d like to share details with your family.
At Agape Care, we’re committed to communicating effectively, honestly, and authentically with patients and their families. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us today.