When hospice care begins, a lot of new words show up — medical terms, legal forms, and phrases that may feel unfamiliar or confusing. This guide explains the most common hospice terms in everyday language, so you can feel clear and confident in each step.
You don’t need to know everything. That’s what we’re here for.
Admission to hospice is the first step in getting the comfort care you or a loved one needs when the focus of treatment shifts from curative to quality of life. We work hard to make this transition as smooth as possible, so you never feel alone during this important time. At Lifted Hospice, we treat […]
Type:Direct personal care support role Primary Purpose:To provide hands-on assistance with personal hygiene and daily activities to promote comfort, safety, and dignity When It Applies:When a hospice patient requires help with bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, or mobility Who Is Involved:Hospice aide, supervising registered nurse, patient, and family caregivers Where It Occurs:Private residence, hospital, assisted living […]
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Also Known As: hospice evaluation, admission assessment, intake visit, initial hospice visit Type: Initial hospice evaluation visit The Main Goal: To get a deep understanding of the patient’s overall health status, the symptoms they are experiencing and what care they need in order to figure out if hospice is an option and to start developing […]
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Also Known As:Grief support, hospice grief counseling, bereavement services, mourning support Type:Post-loss emotional and grief support service Primary Purpose:To provide ongoing emotional support, grief counseling, and practical guidance to family members after the death of a loved one receiving hospice care. When It Applies:After a hospice patient passes away. Bereavement services begin immediately following the […]
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Also Known As:Hospice plan of care, individualized care plan, interdisciplinary care plan Type:Written guide for patient care Primary Purpose:To provide a structured, personalized roadmap for a patient’s care, detailing medications, visits, equipment, services, and goals to ensure coordinated, effective hospice care. When It Applies:Created at hospice admission and updated regularly as the patient’s condition, needs, […]
Also Known As:Community Health Accreditation Partner, a hospice accreditation organization Type:Accreditation and quality assurance service Primary Purpose:Ensure hospice agencies meet high standards for patient safety, care quality, and staff training When It Applies:Ongoing; accreditation is maintained through regular review and evaluation Who Is Involved:Accreditation surveyors, hospice administration, clinical staff, and support teams Where It Occurs:Hospice […]
Also Known As:Spiritual counselor, hospice chaplain, pastoral care provider, faith support, spiritual guidance Type:Spiritual and emotional support service Primary Purpose:Provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and families during hospice care When It Applies:From hospice admission throughout the patient’s care Who Is Involved:Hospice chaplain, patient, family members, caregivers, hospice team Where It Occurs:Home, assisted living, […]
Also Known As:Palliative care, symptom management care, end-of-life comfort support Type:Patient-centered supportive care service Primary Purpose:Provide relief from pain, symptoms, and stress of serious illness while enhancing comfort and quality of life When It Applies:From the time a patient experiences serious or life-limiting illness, particularly when curative treatment is no longer the focus Who Is […]
Also Known As:Continuous nursing care, crisis hospice care, bedside symptom management Type:Short-term, intensive hospice care service Primary Purpose:Provide round-the-clock nursing care at home to manage urgent or uncontrolled symptoms, ensuring patient comfort and safety during a crisis When It Applies:During acute symptom crises at home, when the patient requires intensive support to prevent hospitalization or […]
Also Known As:Do Not Resuscitate order, no-code order, resuscitation refusal Type:Legal medical directive Primary Purpose:A DNR is a legal document indicating that a patient does not want CPR or other emergency resuscitation efforts if their heart or breathing stops. It ensures that a patient’s wishes regarding end-of-life care are respected and followed by medical professionals. […]
Also Known As:Medical equipment, hospice equipment, supportive devices, home care equipment Type:Medical supply and support service Primary Purpose:Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provides patients with items needed to enhance comfort, safety, and mobility during hospice care. These items are supplied based on the patient’s condition and the recommendations of the hospice care team. When It Applies:DME […]
Also Known As:Hospice election form, hospice consent form, hospice admission form Type:Legal and administrative hospice document Primary Purpose:The Election Form officially begins hospice care, notifying Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance that the patient is choosing hospice services. It designates the selected hospice provider and ensures coverage for hospice care. Signing the form indicates a shift […]
Also Known As:Hospice eligibility, hospice admission criteria, and end-of-life care requirements Type:Patient admission criteria for hospice care Primary Purpose:Eligibility determines whether a patient qualifies for hospice services. It ensures that hospice care is provided to those who can benefit from specialized, comfort-focused support for a terminal illness. When It Applies:Eligibility is assessed when a patient […]
Also Known As:Hospice recertification visit, in-person eligibility check, physician or nurse practitioner visit Type:Required medical assessment Primary Purpose:A face-to-face visit is conducted by a hospice physician or nurse practitioner to confirm ongoing eligibility for hospice care. It ensures that the patient continues to meet the criteria for hospice services and that the care plan remains […]
Call us anytime at (972) 777-3000 or email care@liftedhospice.com.
