🕊️ Palliative Care Aftercare

    Hospice Transition Aftercare Instructions

    A day-by-day recovery guide for hospice transition: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.

    Typical recovery: about 30 daysPalliative Care

    What to expect

    Communication

    • Keep an updated list of all medications and dosages
    • Designate one family contact person to communicate with the medical team
    • Share your wishes about care with your family and medical team
    • It's okay to ask questions. No question is too small.

    Hospice Information

    • Hospice is about comfort and quality of life, not giving up
    • Hospice provides: nursing visits, medication management, equipment, emotional support
    • 24/7 nurse line is available for urgent concerns
    • You can revoke hospice and return to curative treatment at any time

    Hospice Transition recovery, day by day

    Initial Phase (Day 0-7)

    Care Plan Overview

    • Hospice team will visit within 24-48 hours to set up care
    • Follow the care plan discussed with your team
    • Take medications exactly as prescribed. Contact us if they are not providing relief.
    • Medications, equipment, and supplies will be provided by the hospice team
    Ongoing (Week 2+)

    Comfort & Quality of Life

    • Your care team is available for symptom changes or concerns
    • Focus on activities and people that bring comfort and meaning
    • Your hospice nurse is available 24/7 for urgent concerns
    • It's okay to have good days and bad days

    When to call your provider or 911

    • Sudden severe pain that is not controlled by breakthrough medication
    • Difficulty breathing that is new or worsening
    • Uncontrolled bleeding
    • Sudden change in consciousness or responsiveness
    • New inability to swallow medications
    • Call the hospice nurse line first (available 24/7) before going to the ER

    When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.

    Recovery milestones

    1. Day 3

      Care plan established

      Initial assessment complete, medications and comfort measures in place

    2. Day 14

      Symptom review

      Check-in to assess symptom control and adjust plan

    3. Day 30

      Comprehensive review

      Full team review of care goals and comfort measures

    For clinics

    Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.

    QR Rx sends this exact hospice transition recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.

    HIPAA compliant. No credit card. Cancel anytime.

    More Palliative Care aftercare guides