What to do when the unexpected happens—and how hospice helps you respond with confidence and calm.
When your loved one is receiving hospice care, emergencies can feel different. Unlike in traditional medical care—where the goal is often to treat and cure—hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. That shift can raise important questions:
What should you do if your loved one falls, is in pain, or seems to be in distress? Should you call 911? Is a trip to the hospital still an option?
This post will walk you through how to handle medical emergencies during hospice care, step by step.
1. Understand the Hospice Philosophy
First, remember that hospice is a comfort-focused model of care. Its goal is not to prolong life at all costs but to ensure that your loved one is:
Free from pain
Surrounded by peace and loved ones
Able to stay in their chosen setting (usually at home)
Hospice is available 24/7 to support you during medical situations—so you don’t have to go through emergencies alone or call 911 unless it’s truly necessary.
2. Call the Hospice Team First—Always
If a medical issue arises, your first call should be to your hospice provider. They are available around the clock, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
You should call hospice if:
The patient is in pain or appears to be suffering
There’s a sudden change in breathing, alertness, or mobility
They fall or have a minor injury
You are unsure whether something is “normal”
You simply feel overwhelmed and need guidance
A hospice nurse will either guide you over the phone or come to your home to evaluate and manage the situation.
3. Avoid Calling 911—Unless It’s Prearranged
In most hospice situations, calling 911 is discouraged, unless the care plan specifically includes it (for example, for certain conditions not related to the terminal illness).
Why? Because:
Emergency responders may not know your loved one is on hospice
They are required to attempt life-saving measures (CPR, ventilation, hospitalization) unless told otherwise
Hospital interventions may go against your loved one’s wishes or advance directives
If you do call 911, be sure to immediately inform responders that your loved one is:
On hospice care
Not pursuing curative or life-prolonging treatments
Has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, if applicable
Better yet: Let the hospice team coordinate any outside help needed.
4. Keep Emergency Documents Accessible
To avoid confusion during urgent moments, keep the following in a clearly labeled folder:
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) or DNR forms
Hospice contact information
List of medications and allergies
Care plan instructions
Advance directive or living will
Post the hospice agency’s 24/7 number in a visible location, such as on the fridge or near the patient’s bed.
5. Common Emergencies Hospice Can Handle
Hospice nurses are trained to handle a wide range of issues, such as:
Pain crises
Agitation or confusion
Shortness of breath
Falls without serious injury
Bleeding or swelling
Restlessness or anxiety
Medication reactions
They’ll often visit the home, administer medication, and adjust the care plan—without the need for an ER visit.
6. When a Hospital Transfer Might Still Happen
In rare cases, if symptoms can’t be managed at home, hospice may arrange:
A short-term inpatient stay for pain or symptom control
Respite care for overwhelmed caregivers
These transitions are typically coordinated through the hospice provider and are part of the covered hospice benefit.
7. Plan Ahead and Talk to the Team
The best way to handle emergencies is to prepare in advance:
Discuss “what if” scenarios with your hospice nurse
Review your loved one’s wishes and goals of care
Make sure paperwork is up to date
Know who to call and when
Preparation turns panic into peace—and lets you focus on what matters most: being present.
Final Thoughts
Medical emergencies during hospice don’t have to feel like chaos. With hospice, you have a team ready to help—day or night, with skill and compassion. By calling your hospice provider first, staying informed, and honoring your loved one’s wishes, you can navigate emergencies with clarity and calm.
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to act like an emergency room. You just need a phone call and a plan—and hospice will handle the rest.