It’s 9 p.m. You’re exhausted from work and caring for your family. Maybe you’re taking a few moments to get things ready for your next day, or you’re hoping for a moment or two of quiet time.

But then your loved one in hospice care at your home is in distress. They indicate that they are in pain, and you want to provide relief as soon as possible. 

It’s after 8 p.m. and well past “normal” working hours. But with 3HC hospice, we’re here for you 24/7, always ready with after-hours care, providing what your loved one needs most. 

Communicating with hospice after hours is an important part of our overall comfort care. We want you to know that we are available to help you, and our incredible healthcare team isn’t limited to the 9 to 5 workday. So here are a few tips to help you communicate with us when you need us most.

Communicating With Hospice After Hours: How We Serve You

Because end-of-life care is often unpredictable, we are readily available to help you face the emotional and physical challenges you experience. We recognize that you may need assistance at any time, day or night.

How to Reach 3HC Hospice After Hours

Simply call us at a number we’ll provide and it will be forwarded to our team of experienced nurses. They’ll come to your aid quickly because we realize that time is of the essence in end-of-life care. When you speak to us, it would help us serve you better if you could tell us:

• What symptoms your loved one has
• When these symptoms started
• Their diagnosis

We’ll swiftly create a plan to alleviate pain and symptoms, so you can rest assured that the one you love is receiving the best possible compassionate care. You should be prepared to follow instructions and contact us later if you need any follow-up care.

Call Us First To Avoid Unnecessary Emergency Department Visits

One of the benefits of after-hours hospice care is that it reduces the number of unneeded ER visits and hospitalizations. This is not only better for the hospice patient, but it also avoids large, unexpected medical bills.

Will I Be Contacted If There is a Problem With My Loved One After Hours?

Yes, we will contact you immediately if there is an issue with your loved one after hours.

We recognize that it is not possible for all hospice patients to be treated in their homes. For those who can’t, we offer services through our inpatient hospice care centers. We may recommend inpatient comfort care if your loved one takes medications that must be carefully monitored, if they’ve had fractures or if they have frequent seizures.

If someone you love is receiving hospice care outside of the home, we’ll keep you up-to-date on their situation, day or night.

How Often Can I Expect Updates From the After-Hours Care Team?

If your loved one is at home, you’ll be with us as we provide our services. If your loved one is in one of our inpatient units, updates will be given around the clock, as needed. We’ll even touch base to let you know if your loved one’s condition remains the same. Communicating with hospice after hours should be a seamless process that always keeps you informed.

3HC Cares—Any Time of Day or Night

We understand that when you need help, you need it immediately. Emergencies don’t just happen during the regular work day, and you need someone who provides extensive, comprehensive care 24/7.

Communicating with 3HC hospice after-hours care is simple, and assistance from our experienced care team is just a phone call away. See why we’ve been the area’s trusted non-profit hospice since 1989. Contact us for more information on how we can serve you.