Things You'll Need:
- Computer with Internet access
- Nurse
- Oncologist
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Step 1
Know the different ways in which hospice care is administered to cancer patients. It can be provided in-home, in the hospital, in a designated hospice care facility or at a skilled nursing home. Where you will receive hospice care depends on your preferences and particular situation.
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Step 2
Be aware that prostate cancers requiring hospice care will significantly alter the patient's lifestyle. The patient may need to remain largely physically inactive in order to control his or her symptoms at the hospice care stage.
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Step 3
Check with the hospital or clinic where you receive your primary care. The staff can likely recommend hospice care services that are available in your community, and they might even have suggestions for patients who require a particular kind of assistance or prefer a particular kind of environment. For instance, there are many hospice centers that cater to the needs of a certain religious or cultural group.
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Step 4
Get to know your nurses. They are excellent sources of information about hospice care and other services available to cancer patients in your community.
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Step 5
Ask your social worker or home care worker where to go in the event hospice care becomes necessary. He or she may have experience or special insight into the available options.
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Step 6
Check online. Vital resources available to cancer patients, including hospice care, can be found online in the event that you wish to see what's available beyond your immediate community.
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Step 7
Call the different hospice care providers you locate and have a detailed discussion with them about the cost of services and their availability (on evenings and weekends, for example). Make sure you also follow up with your health insurance provider if costs are involved to make sure the cost of hospice care services will be covered.
