Moving to a hospice — Everything you need to know

The most important things at a glance

A hospice provides palliative care for terminally ill patients.
Admission is based on medical recommendation and certain criteria.
Health insurance companies cover 95% of hospice costs.
Moving to a hospice requires good preparation.
Relatives receive support and are allowed to spend the night often.
Personal items and sometimes pets are allowed.
The length of stay is individual and not fixed.
Hospices also offer grief counseling for relatives.

What is a hospice and when does it make sense to move?

A hospice is a specialized facility for people with incurable, advanced conditions. The aim is to give them a dignified, pain-free and as self-determined time as possible in their last phase of life.

Definition and purpose of a hospice

Hospices offer comprehensive medical, nursing and emotional support.
The focus is not on healing, but on alleviating symptoms and maintaining the quality of life.
Relatives are actively involved in care and receive support.

Difference between hospice and palliative care

palliative care can be outpatient or inpatient and includes hospitals, nursing homes or your own living space.
hospice care is carried out exclusively in inpatient facilities and is aimed at people in the final phase of their lives.

Who is a hospice stay suitable for?

People with an incurable, highly advanced disease.
When medical care is no longer possible at home.
When intensive care and pain management are required.

Requirements for admission to a hospice

Moving to a hospice requires certain requirements, both medical and formal. Admission is usually based on medical recommendation and is based on defined criteria.

Medical criteria: Who can move to a hospice?

People with an incurable, advanced illness for which there are no longer any curative treatments available.
A limited life expectancy of a few weeks to months.
High demand for symptom-relieving care (e.g. pain management, respiratory distress treatment).
When care at home or in a nursing home is no longer sufficient.

Required documents and applications

Medical certificate about the need for hospice.
Request for Costs covered by health insurance (The fund usually pays 95%, the rest can be covered by donations).
If available: Health care directive or Precautionary power of attorney.

Differences between inpatient and outpatient hospices

Inpatient hospices: Round-the-clock care, mostly for people with high care needs.
Outpatient hospice services: Care at home or in a nursing home, support from specialists and volunteers.

The process of moving to a hospice — step by step

Moving to a hospice is an important step for those affected and their relatives. Good preparation is important so that everything runs smoothly. Here you can find out which steps are necessary.

1. Application and contact

The first point of contact is usually the treating person Family doctor or specialist, which recommends hospice admission.
This is followed by the Contact the desired hospiceto ask for free places.
Health insurance usually covers 95% of costs, for this there is a Cost reimbursement request required.

2. Admission interview and assessment

The hospice introduces Admission interview with the patient and relatives.
Wishes, needs and medical requirements are discussed.
A doctor or hospice management checks whether the Admission criteria are fulfilled.

3. Transportation and arrival at the hospice: What needs to be organized?

The transportation can be carried out with an ambulance service if the patient is not mobile.
Personal items (e.g. clothing, photos, favorite music) may be brought along.
On arrival, there is a referral by nursing staff to make the transition as comfortable as possible.

Financing and costs: Who pays the hospice costs?

A stay in a hospice should be accessible to seriously ill people, regardless of their financial situation. The costs are therefore largely covered by health insurance companies. Here you can find out how financing is regulated and whether there are own shares.

Coverage of costs by health insurance companies and social security agencies

Statutory and private Health insurance companies cover 95% of the costs for a hospice stay.
The remaining 5% is represented by Donations and funding covered, so that for the patient as a rule no direct costs arise.
In certain cases, this can Social Welfare Office Step in if additional assistance is required.

Co-payments: Are there any own shares?

In principle, patients do not have any direct personal contributions.
additional individual services (e.g. special therapy offers) can be financed privately.
Some hospices offer free Accommodation options for relatives, others charge a small fee for this.

Hospice donations and funding opportunities

Hospices are on Donations and volunteer support instructed, as not all costs are covered by the health insurance funds.
Many facilities are operated by charitable associations or church institutions financed.
Relatives or companies can one-time or regular donations support hospice work.

What happens with the previous home or care facility?

For many people, moving to a hospice also means a change in their previous living situation. Relatives are often faced with the question of whether and when an apartment must be terminated or left a care facility. Here is the most important information.

Does your own apartment have to be terminated?

No immediate cancellation required: A hospice stay can take different lengths of time, so the apartment should not be given up hastily.
Check deadlines in the rental agreement: As a rule, the statutory period of notice applies from three months. An early consultation with the landlord can help.
Social Welfare Office can help: If rental costs can no longer be borne during the hospice stay, support from the social welfare office may be possible.

Moving from a care facility to a hospice — what applies here?

Care facilities often offer palliative care, but not to the extent that a hospice can.
A transfer to hospice is usually possible if a doctor's recommendation available.
The contract with nursing home Must accordingly terminated or suspended become. Some facilities offer Interim solutions in the event that a return is necessary.

Tips for relatives about home resolution

Save important documents: Personal documents, contracts, and valuables should be organized first.
Check the rental agreement: Is early dissolution possible? Is there a new tenant clause?
Support from service providers: Household resolution companies or volunteer organizations can help make the process easier.
Preserve memorabilia: It can be comforting for loved ones to store certain personal items or pieces of furniture.

Life in a hospice — What can guests expect?

A hospice is more than just a care facility — it is a place of peace, security and individual support. The focus here is not on healing, but on the best possible quality of life in the last phase of life.

Care and care: Who takes care of the patients?

A interdisciplinary team out palliative care providers, nurses, pastors and therapists provides holistic care.
Care is geared to individual needs, with a particular focus on Pain relief, respiratory therapy, and emotional support.
Auch volunteer hospice attendants are available to guests and their families.

Can I bring personal belongings?

Yes, many hospices encourage guests personal items Bring along to create a familiar environment.
This includes:
- Photos and memorabilia
- Your own blankets or pillows
- favorite music or books
In many cases, even smaller pieces of furniture (such as a favorite armchair) may be brought to the hospice.

Can pets go to the hospice?

Some hospices allow pets to visit or even stay as they have a calming and comforting effect on the guests.
The conditions vary depending on the institution, often the following applies:
- Visits from pets are available by appointment.
- Permanent residence from animals is usually only possible in exceptional cases.
In hospices that do not allow pets, there are often animal-assisted therapies with dogs or other animals.

Support for relatives: visiting hours, accommodation and advice

Hospices want to actively involve relatives in the last phase of a loved one's life.
Visiting hours are usually very flexible or even unlimited.
Many hospices offer Guest rooms or sleeping options for relatives so that they can stay close to their loved ones.
Psychological and pastoral care Counseling services help to cope with emotional distress.
After the death of a relative, there are often Grief counseling and aftercare through the hospice.

How long can you stay in a hospice?

A hospice stay is not limited to a fixed duration, but depends on the individual state of health of the patient. However, there are certain regulations and processes that must be observed.

Is the stay limited in time?

As a rule, the recording takes place when the Life expectancy is only a few weeks or months.
There is officially no time limit as long as the medical admission criteria continue to be met.
The aim is to provide patients with the best possible quality of life until the end of their lives.

Is there a minimum length of stay?

There is no specified minimum length of stay.
Some patients only spend a few days in hospice, while others live there for several months.
The stay is individually designed as required.

What happens when health improves?

In rare cases, a patient's condition stabilizes contrary to prognosis. If a Discharge is medically justifiable, the patient can return home or to a care facility. In such cases, the hospice and palliative teams assist in organising further care.

Important contacts and support options

Moving a loved one to a hospice is often a major emotional burden for relatives. Various specialist agencies and institutions offer support.

Social services and counseling centers for relatives

1. Social services in hospitals, care facilities or hospices help with:

Application and formalities for hospice admission
Questions about financing and reimbursement
Assistance with housing liquidation or organization of care following a possible dismissal

2. Even independent Palliative and Hospice Care Counseling Centers offer valuable help.

Psychological and pastoral care

Hospices offer pastoral care regardless of religious affiliation.
Professional Grief counselors and psychologists are available to both patients and their families.
Many hospices also offer Mourning cafés or discussion groups to enable exchange with other affected parties.

Volunteer support and hospice helpers

Volunteer hospice attendants play an important role by:
- Spend time with patients (talking, reading aloud, music, walks)
- Relieve and support relatives
- Provide support in the last hours of life
Many hospices also offer relatives Training or information sessionsto prepare them for end-of-life care.

What happens in the event of death?

In hospice, the dying process is accompanied with the greatest dignity and care. Relatives receive support and have time to say goodbye and grieve.

Procedure and organization by the hospice

The hospice staff accompanies the last phase of life with special care and pain management.
After death, the deceased remains in the room for a certain period of time so that relatives can say their goodbyes in peace.
The hospice provides support with all necessary steps, such as Notifying the doctor and issuing the death certificate.

How Memovida can help you as a funeral home

Memovida helps you with Organization of burial, from picking up the deceased person to an individual farewell party.
We advise you on Burial options, whether it is a burial, cremation or an alternative form of burial.
Our experts will empathize with you during this difficult time and will take care of all formalitiesso you can focus on your grief.

Options for farewell in hospice

Many hospices offer a special Farewell room, where relatives can stay in peace.
Rituals such as lighting a candle or singing together can make it easier to say goodbye.
Some hospices also allow a small Farewell party with family and friends.
Relatives are encouraged to co-create (e.g. through dressing or personal decorations).

A loving and respectful farewell in hospice gives relatives space for their grief and helps them to consciously experience this difficult moment.