Can a hospice patient go to the hospital?
Learn when a hospice patient may need hospital care, why families should call hospice first, and how respite or revocation decisions are coordinated.
Caritas knowledge library
Hospice guides for families and caregivers
Guidance for families, caregivers, and care professionals.
Featured guide
How palliative symptom management works in hospice
Learn how hospice teams assess pain and other symptoms, coordinate comfort-focused care, and guide families when a patient’s condition changes.
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Begin with the question in front of you.
Does hospice require a DNR order?
Learn whether hospice requires a DNR order, how DNR decisions differ from hospice eligibility, and questions families can discuss with the care team today.
Levels of hospice care, explained
Learn how routine home care, respite care, and continuous home care may be used within hospice, with coverage limits and questions for families.
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Guidance organized around real needs.
26 guides
Caregiver Support
Hospice respite care: support for family caregivers
Understand hospice respite care, when a family caregiver may need it, Medicare’s short-term respite benefit, and how to ask the hospice team for help.
Care Options
Hospice vs. home health care: what is the difference?
Compare hospice vs. home health care, the goals of each service, what Medicare may cover, and questions Dallas-Fort Worth families can ask locally today.
Hospice Eligibility
What if a hospice patient lives longer than six months?
Learn what may happen when a hospice patient lives longer than six months, how hospice eligibility is reviewed, and what a live discharge can mean in Texas.
Hospice eligibility checklist for families in Texas
A practical hospice eligibility checklist for Texas families noticing decline, symptoms, hospital visits, weight loss, or care needs.
When is it time to consider hospice care?
Signs a loved one may be ready for hospice care, what families can look for, and how to start a referral in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Volunteering
Hospice volunteer training and screening in Texas
Understand why Texas hospice volunteers may complete applications, background checks, registry screening, training, matching, and supervision.
How to become a hospice volunteer in Dallas-Fort Worth
Learn the usual steps to become a hospice volunteer in Dallas-Fort Worth, from choosing a role to screening, training, matching, and service.
What does a hospice volunteer do?
Explore patient-facing and behind-the-scenes hospice volunteer roles, what assignments depend on, and the boundaries that protect patients and families.
First Visit
What to expect during the first hospice visit
What families can expect during a first hospice visit, including questions, care planning, symptoms, medications, and family support.
In-Home Hospice
What does hospice do at home?
A practical guide to what hospice can provide at home, including nursing, symptom support, aide care, equipment, and family guidance.
What does hospice cover at home?
Learn what hospice may cover at home, including nursing, medications, supplies, oxygen, equipment, aide visits, and family guidance.
Referral Process
What happens after a hospice referral?
Learn what families can expect after a hospice referral, including eligibility review, first contact, care planning, and next steps.
Provider Referrals
How physicians and discharge planners can refer a patient to hospice
Referral steps for physicians, discharge planners, facility teams, and families coordinating hospice care in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Diagnosis-Specific Hospice
Hospice for dementia and Alzheimer's in Dallas-Fort Worth
Learn when hospice may help dementia or Alzheimer's patients in Dallas-Fort Worth, including signs, care settings, and referral steps.
Hospice for stroke and neurological decline
Learn when hospice may help after stroke or neurological decline, including signs, symptoms, care settings, and referral questions.
Care Settings
Hospice in memory care communities in Dallas-Fort Worth
Learn how hospice supports residents, families, and staff in Dallas-Fort Worth memory care communities through comfort care and coordination.
Hospice in assisted living or nursing homes
Learn how hospice can support patients in assisted living, nursing homes, and facility settings with care coordination and family guidance.
Referral Guidance
Hospital discharge to hospice in Dallas-Fort Worth
A practical guide for families and discharge planners coordinating hospice after a hospital stay, including referrals, equipment, and home setup.
Choosing Hospice
Questions to ask before choosing a hospice provider
Compare hospice providers with practical questions about care teams, response times, coverage, equipment, family support, and local service.
Dallas Hospice Care
Hospice care in Dallas, TX: what families should know
A Dallas family guide to hospice care, including services, care settings, referral steps, Medicare questions, and when to call.
Disease-Specific Hospice
Hospice for cancer patients in Dallas-Fort Worth
Learn when hospice may help cancer patients and families with pain, symptoms, fatigue, appetite changes, and comfort-focused support.
Hospice for COPD and pulmonary disease
Learn when hospice may help someone with COPD or advanced pulmonary disease, including breathing distress, oxygen needs, and decline.
Hospice for heart failure and cardiac disease
A family guide to hospice for advanced heart failure, including symptoms, decline signs, comfort support, and referral questions.
Family Decision Support
Hospice vs. palliative care: what families should know
A clear explanation of hospice vs. palliative care, how goals differ, and when families may need comfort-focused hospice support.
Hospice Coverage
How much does hospice cost in Texas?
Learn who may pay for hospice care in Texas, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, VA benefits, and common coverage questions.
Medicare Coverage
Does Medicare cover hospice care in Texas?
A clear guide to Medicare hospice coverage in Texas, including covered services, supplies, eligibility, and family next steps.