How to Write a Hospice Care Plan

When hospice care is indicated for a terminally ill patient, the hospice care providers will create a plan that is specific and individualized for the patient and his family. Hospice plans are created by a team that includes a doctor, a registered nurse, home health care workers, social workers and counselors, and other persons (for example, volunteers, religious or lay counselors, or even therapists) who may be required to provide appropriate end-of-life care for the patient.

Instructions

• 1

  Work with the medical staff (the physician and registered nurse) to establish the requirements for patient and family education, and to set the goals and guidelines for the patient's care. The medical staff will also coordinate and assemble the hospice team, and provide the plan for the patient's health care.

• 2

  Clearly identify any special facility requirements that must be put into place before the patient comes home. Most hospice care is provided outside of medical facilities, so if specialized equipment or ambulatory accesses are necessary, you should plan for them before the patient leaves the in-patient facility.

• 3

  Create a provision for "respite care" in the hospice plan. In the event that the patient requires a longer-term hospice care than originally planned, the family will want to make provisions so that the patient may be put into an in-patient facility for a short while, so they can be temporarily relieved of their full-time care duties.

• 4

  Confirm the insurance coverage and financial support, or lack of it, before the patient enters hospice. This will help the hospice caregivers provide support and guidance to the patient's family and friends in getting financial assistance for his care.