Choosing the Right Hospice Provider: Key Questions to Ask

When it comes to hospice care, choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Hospice is not just about medical care—it's about comfort, dignity, and compassionate support during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. At Unified Care Hospice, we believe that families deserve clarity and confidence when making this choice.

If you’re beginning the journey of exploring hospice options for yourself or a loved one, here are some essential questions to ask to help guide your decision:

1. What Services Are Included in Your Hospice Program?

Not all hospice providers offer the same level of support. At Unified Care Hospice, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including:

• • Skilled nursing care
• • Medication and pain management
• • Emotional and spiritual counseling
• • Medical equipment and supplies
• • Respite care for families
• • Bereavement support after a loved one has passed

Be sure to ask each provider for a full list of services and how they tailor care to meet individual needs.

2. Is the Hospice Provider Medicare-Certified and State-Licensed?

A reputable hospice provider should be certified by Medicare and licensed by the state. This ensures that they meet strict standards of care and follow established guidelines. Unified Care Hospice is proud to meet all regulatory requirements, giving families peace of mind knowing they are receiving high-quality, compliant care.

3. How Quickly Can You Start Services?

Timing matters. When a patient’s needs escalate, waiting days for hospice services can be distressing. Ask how soon care can begin once eligibility is determined. At Unified Care Hospice, we prioritize fast and compassionate response times—often starting care the same day when needed.

4. What Is Your Team’s Approach to Personalized Care?

Hospice is not one-size-fits-all. Look for a provider that tailors the care plan to each individual’s medical condition, emotional needs, cultural values, and family dynamics.

Unified Care Hospice uses an interdisciplinary approach—bringing together nurses, physicians, social workers, spiritual advisors, and volunteers—to create a circle of care around each patient and their loved ones.

5. How Do You Support Family Members?

Families are just as affected by a hospice journey as the patient. Ask about caregiver education, counseling resources, respite care, and ongoing grief support. Unified Care Hospice recognizes the emotional toll caregiving can take and offers families ongoing support before, during, and after a loved one’s passing.

6. Do You Serve Patients in Their Homes?

Many patients prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home. At Unified Care Hospice, we specialize in home-based hospice services that allow patients to receive care surrounded by familiar people and settings. We also serve patients in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities based on their needs.

7. What Sets You Apart from Other Hospice Providers?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. At Unified Care Hospice, we go beyond clinical care—we bring heart to everything we do. Through initiatives like Hearts to Table, which provides meals and groceries to underserved patients, and our Holistic Passings Foundation, which expands access to dignified care, we are committed to serving with purpose and compassion.

Final Thoughts

Choosing hospice care is never easy, but asking the right questions can help families feel informed and empowered. Whether you're planning ahead or navigating an urgent situation, Unified Care Hospice is here to walk with you—every step of the way.

If you’re exploring hospice care options and want to learn more about how we can help, we invite you to contact our compassionate team at ucarehospice.com.