Starting hospice care early gives you more time with a skilled team, better symptom control, and practical support for your whole family. When you enroll before a crisis, your plan can be thoughtful, not rushed. You get help managing pain and shortness of breath, medications and equipment, caregiver training, and 24/7 support. 

Early access to hospice is linked in the research to better quality of life, fewer emergency room visits, and lower stress for caregivers. 

What “Early” Means In Hospice Care

You qualify for hospice when two physicians certify a life expectancy of about six months if the illness follows its usual course. You can remain on hospice beyond six months if you continue to meet criteria. Many families wait until the final days, which limits the benefits you receive. Enrolling once you are eligible gives you months of coordinated support rather than days. 

Key Benefits You Gain By Starting Hospice Early

1. Stronger Symptom Relief And Comfort. Early hospice brings a full team around you, including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and a physician or nurse practitioner. Together they create a plan to ease pain, breathlessness, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. Earlier involvement is associated with improved symptom control and quality of life. 
2. Fewer Emergency Room Visits And Hospital Stays. Crisis care is often preventable when symptoms are monitored and treated promptly at home. Studies of early palliative and hospice involvement show fewer hospitalizations and lower costs 
3. Covered Medications, Equipment, And Supplies. The Medicare hospice benefit includes medications for symptom control, a hospital bed if needed, oxygen, and other durable medical equipment related to the hospice diagnosis. Getting these items in place early helps prevent falls, pressure injuries, and caregiver strain.
4. 24/7 Support For Urgent Needs. You can call any time, day or night, if symptoms change or you have questions. Earlier enrollment means you know the team well before urgent moments arrive. Many questions are resolved by phone, and a nurse can come to the home when needed.
5. Practical Help for Caregivers. Caregivers receive training, respite options, and guidance on safe transfers, medication schedules, and what to expect next. Early palliative involvement is associated with better caregiver satisfaction and well-being. 
6. Time For Emotional and Spiritual Support. You and your family can process what is happening, talk through goals of care, and receive chaplain and social work support. Early palliative approaches that include coping and communication work are linked to improvements in mood and overall quality of life. 
7. Care That Aligns With Your Priorities. With more time, your team can personalize routines, meals, music, visitors, and cultural or faith practices. You stay in control of what a good day looks like. That clarity reduces stress during changes in condition later on. 

Signs It May Be Time To Start Hospice

• You or your loved one has a serious illness and frequent symptoms that affect daily life.
• Hospital or ER visits are increasing.
• Eating, walking, or bathing require more help.
• Treatments to cure the illness are no longer working or are no longer what you want.
• You want to focus on comfort and quality time at home.

When you notice two or more of these, ask the doctor about a hospice evaluation. Medicare allows you to choose hospice, and you can change your mind later if your goals change. 

If you are noticing two or more of these changes, take the next step with our detailed guide: Signs It’s Time For Hospice Care In Dallas

How To Talk With Your Doctor About Starting Hospice Early

Use these conversation starters in your next visit:

• “We want to focus on comfort and time together. Are we eligible for hospice now?”
• “What symptoms should we expect in the next few months, and how will hospice help us plan?”
• “Can you place a referral to Homage Hospice so we can learn about services and decide?”

Your physician and a hospice physician or NP will certify eligibility. Once enrolled, your hospice team coordinates with your doctor so everyone is on the same page.

What Hospice Covers In Dallas-Fort Worth

With Medicare and most private insurers, hospice typically covers:

• Regular visits from nurses and aides
• Medications related to the hospice diagnosis
• Medical equipment and supplies, such as a hospital bed or oxygen
• Social worker and chaplain services
• Therapy services when appropriate
• Short-term inpatient or respite care when symptoms require it

Room and board at a facility are usually not covered, although short facility stays for symptom control or caregiver respite can be. Your team helps you understand costs before services begin.

Care Options You Can Receive Through Hospice

• Routine Home Care: Ongoing visits at home, an assisted living community, or a nursing facility.
• Continuous Home Care: Extended nursing hours at home during a brief period of uncontrolled symptoms. Evidence suggests intensive support during crises may reduce disenrollment and rehospitalization.
• General Inpatient Care: Short hospital or inpatient unit stay when symptoms cannot be managed at home.
• Respite Care: Short stay in a facility to give caregivers a needed break.

Learn more about levels of care on our Hospice Care page.

Common Myths About Starting Hospice Early

Myth: Hospice means giving up.
Fact: Hospice means choosing comfort and support. You can continue treatments that relieve symptoms, and you can stop hospice if your goals change.

Myth: Hospice is only for the last few days.
Fact: Eligibility begins at about six months, and you can receive hospice longer if you meet criteria. Families report the biggest benefits when care starts early.

Myth: I will lose my doctor.
Fact: Your hospice team coordinates with your physician, and you remain the center of every decision.

For Veterans and Their Families

Veterans may have unique needs related to service history, trauma, or benefits. Starting hospice early gives time to address VA resources, military honors, caregiver support, and goals of care with a team that understands veteran-specific concerns. Visit Hospice Care for Veterans to learn more.

Quick Start Checklist

1. Ask your physician about hospice eligibility now.
2. Call Homage Hospice at (469) 625-0705 to request a same-day conversation.
3. Gather current medications, allergies, and recent discharge papers.
4. Identify your primary caregiver and backup helpers.
5. Walk through the home to plan for equipment placement, such as a bed or oxygen.
6. Write down your priorities for a good day, people to notify, and spiritual or cultural needs.

Ready To Talk About Hospice?

You can start with a simple conversation. Call us at (469) 625-0705 or reach us online. Homage Hospice serves families across Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, Denton County, and Parker County. Our team believes every moment matters, and we will meet you where you are with compassionate, coordinated care.