What Hospice Does Not Tell You | 5 Real Truths Every Family Should Know
1. You Have More Control Than You Think
- Most people don’t realize you can choose your hospice provider, your team, and even the timing of visits.
- Families can ask for more (or fewer) visits, request to change nurses, or get extra therapies (like massage or music).
- You can revoke hospice at any time and resume curative treatments if you wish.
2. Insurance Covers Most Costs, But There May Be Surprises
- Medicare, Medicaid, and most private plans cover almost all hospice costs.
- Some supplies (certain medications, special equipment, respite care) may lead to out-of-pocket fees.
- Always ask for a detailed list of what’s included. Get a cost estimate before starting.
3. Time With Your Care Team Varies
- Some families expect daily or round-the-clock visits. Hospice provides frequent care, but not full shifts.
- Visits depend on patient needs and change week to week.
- If you need more time, ask. Extra visits can sometimes be arranged.
4. Support Continues After Death
- Bereavement and grief support are available to family members for at least a year after a patient’s passing.
- Many people don’t know this is included; others don’t know how to access it.
- Ask your hospice social worker for details.
5. Not Every “Service” is Automatic
- Therapies like massage, pet visits, or spiritual counseling are often available, but not every hospice offers every service automatically.
- Request anything you need, your care plan can be customized.
What to Expect With Suncrest Hospice: Our Process
1. Initial Call and Consultation
- Contact Suncrest 24/7.
- Our nurse or care manager explains your options and answers your hardest questions.
2. Personalized Hospice Assessment
We provide a personalized assessment as the next step in your hospice journey. One of our experienced nurses or care managers visits you at home, in assisted living, or at the hospital to evaluate your loved one’s needs.
During this assessment, we:
- Discuss the patient’s current symptoms, comfort goals, and daily routines
- Answer your questions openly about “what hospice does not tell you” and explain every detail of the process
- Review available services such as pain management, emotional support, and specialty therapies
- Identify what matters most to the patient and family, making sure your priorities set the tone for care planning
This assessment is your time to speak up.
We want to hear your concerns, preferences, and uncertainties.
Every care plan we develop at Suncrest is based on your real needs and wishes, not a standard checklist. If there’s something you don’t understand or if you want extra support, just ask. We put everything on the table, so nothing is left unsaid.
3. Team Assignment and Start of Care
- You meet your team: nurse, aide, social worker, chaplain.
- Care begins right away and changes as your needs change.
4. Ongoing Family Support
- Families get regular updates, education, and counseling when requested.
- After a loved one passes, bereavement support continues.
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I work as a volunteer here, and have been impressed at how organized, thoughtful, caring, and heart-driven the staff is 🙏🏻
Mike Mantell
September 10, 2024Highly recommend! The Suncrest team was very professional and provided incredible care for my father during his final weeks of life. Sarah was such a gift to our family- her... read more
Meghan Coakley
June 10, 2022By far the best Hospice provider in our local market. The intake teams are prompt with getting services started and the care providers are 5-star quality. As a Senior Living... read more
Jessica Fowler
June 10, 2023 -
This is a Hospice Company that in my opinion is up and coming and in many ways is changing the way hospice care is delivered. People are incredibly friendly and... read more
Michael Ashby
June 10, 2018Suncrest hospice is the BEST!!!
Kristina Garza
June 10, 2018Lanaia and Suncrest hospice team is amazing! Our staff looks forward to seeing the blue van each time it arrives with snacks and refreshments. It’s such a thoughtful and appreciated... read more
Janice Gombio
November 10, 2024 -
We picked Suncrest for our parent's hospice service because Rowena was so knowledgeable and responsive to our needs. She went right to work for us after a long detailed... read more
C W Zeng
March 10, 2025Suncrest stepped in when my mom was declining in her last season of life and they built a great partnership with my mom's memory care facility. They worked incredibly fast... read more
Bill Haslim
June 10, 2024Oscar and Theda really appreciated all the hard work from Julia and jesus. Very professional. Highly recommended
Ason Bay
December 10, 2024
Ready for Honest Hospice Answers? Call Suncrest for Support
At Suncrest, our mission is to support you with complete transparency and genuine care. If you want straight answers about what hospice will and won’t do, call us now or fill out our online form.
Contact Suncrest Hospice now for honest advice and complete care. Your family deserves to know everything.
What Hospice Does Not Tell You | Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which services are included with hospice?
Your care team provides a detailed care plan including covered services and optional add-ons.
Will my loved one have someone with them at all hours?
Hospice visits are scheduled based on need. If you want 24/7 presence, talk to your care team about options for extra support.
Can I switch hospice providers if I’m unhappy?
Yes. You can change providers anytime, even after care begins.
What should I look out for when choosing a hospice?
Ask about visit frequency, special therapies, out-of-pocket costs, and family support options.
