You want your loved one comfortable, cared for, and at home in Dallas. You are doing everything you can to make that happen. You are the decision maker, the advocate, and the steady presence your family leans on.

Many families wait until the final days to start hospice care, then tell us they wish they had called sooner. An early hospice referral gives you more time for comfort, planning, and practical help at home. It also activates covered services through Medicare and most insurers, including nursing, medications for symptom relief, equipment, and counseling for you and your family.

What “Early” Hospice Really Means

Early hospice does not mean you are giving up. It means you begin supportive, comfort-focused care once a physician certifies a life expectancy of about six months if the illness follows its usual course. Care shifts toward what matters most at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility, with a team that includes nurses, social workers, chaplains, and aides. 

You can continue to receive treatment for conditions that are not related to the terminal illness. You can also change your mind and stop hospice if goals change.

The Practical Benefits Families Feel First

1. Better Symptom Relief, Sooner. Getting hospice involved earlier gives clinicians time to fine-tune medications, equipment, and routines that ease pain, breathlessness, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia. Earlier specialty involvement is associated with better quality of life and lower psychological burden. Families tell us this translates to more good moments together.
2. Fewer ER Trips and Crisis Hospitalizations. When care teams join sooner, they can anticipate problems, create after-hours plans, and respond quickly at home. Studies link timely palliative involvement with fewer intensive care admissions near the end of life and more structured, values-based conversations. That means less time in the hospital and more time where you want to be.
3. A Team That Wraps Around Your Family. Hospice brings a coordinated team to your door. Nurses manage symptoms. Aides help with personal care. Social workers navigate resources and difficult paperwork. Chaplains support your beliefs and rituals. This whole-person model is part of the Medicare hospice benefit and is designed to support both the patient and caregivers.
4. Covered Medications, Supplies, and Equipment. When hospice begins, medications, supplies, and durable medical equipment related to the terminal diagnosis are typically covered by Medicare. That reduces out-of-pocket costs and hassles for families while making the home safer and more comfortable.
5. Grief Support that Continues After the Funeral. Bereavement care is not an afterthought. Federal rules require hospices to offer counseling and grief support to the family after a death. Regulations specify ongoing services, with programs commonly designed to span roughly a year to help loved ones adjust. Early referral gives your family time to meet the bereavement team and build trust before loss.

Emotional Benefits You Can Feel Right Away

• More meaningful time together. When symptoms are controlled, conversations, meals, and simple daily moments become possible again.
• Less decision fatigue. You receive help clarifying goals, appointing a medical decision maker, and putting your wishes into a clear plan of care.
• Caregiver confidence. Teaching at the bedside and 24/7 phone support reduce the fear of “what do I do if…,” especially at night or on weekends. These supports are core to the hospice model. 

Common Signs It May Be Time to Ask About Hospice

If you notice several of the following, it is reasonable to call and ask about eligibility:

• More frequent ER visits or hospitalizations
• Declining ability to walk, bathe, or dress without help
• Worsening breathlessness or pain despite treatment
• Unintended weight loss and increased fatigue
• More time resting or sleeping, less interest in activities

These patterns often signal a need for more support at home and a different care focus.

How Early Hospice Works In Dallas County

1. Ask the question. You, your loved one, or your physician can reach out to a Medicare-approved hospice. A nurse will schedule a visit to explain services, check eligibility, and hear your goals. Care can begin quickly once your physician certifies eligibility.
2. Build the plan. You help set priorities, such as comfort at home, easing breathlessness, or supporting a specific family event.
3. Start services. Nursing visits, aide support, social work, chaplaincy, and on-call help begin. Medications and equipment related to the terminal illness are delivered and managed. 

Why Start Sooner Instead of Waiting

• Time to adjust. Starting earlier gives everyone time to meet the team, learn new routines, and make the home safe.
• More control. You can make informed choices before a crisis.
• Better alignment with values. Earlier conversations are linked with care that reflects your wishes and less nonbeneficial intensive treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we keep our primary doctor involved?
  Yes. Your attending physician can remain part of the team and collaborate on the plan of care. 
• What if we start hospice and then change our minds?
  You have the right to stop hospice and pursue different treatments. You may also change hospice providers between benefit periods.
• Does hospice only happen at home?
  Most care happens at home or in a residential setting. If symptoms cannot be managed there, your team can arrange inpatient hospice care for short-term stabilization. 

How Homage Hospice Supports Your Family in DFW

You receive a dedicated team focused on comfort, dignity, and peace of mind. We serve Dallas County, plus Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and Parker counties, and we coordinate closely with your physicians to reduce avoidable hospital trips and keep care where you want it most.

• Nursing and CNA support for symptom relief and personal care
• Social work and chaplain services for emotional and spiritual needs
• On-call help 24/7 for urgent needs and questions
• Care for veterans and their families with added support for military history and benefits

Ready To Talk About Early Hospice?

If you are considering hospice care in Dallas County, call (469) 625-0705 to learn how an early hospice referral can improve comfort and support for your whole family. Contact our team for a compassionate conversation about your goals, eligibility, and next steps. You can also request a visit on our Services page or read more About Us.