When is the right time to call hospice?
The answer is sooner than you may think.
If you’re asking this question, it’s probably time to call and learn more about hospice eligibility. Many families tell us, “We wish we had called Hospice of the Piedmont sooner.” That’s because hospice isn’t about giving up – it’s about choosing more comfort, more support and often more time.
If your loved one is living with a serious illness, is in and out of the hospital, or just isn’t bouncing back the way they used to, it may be time to consider hospice care and give us a call.
Our compassionate team will:
- Evaluate hospice eligibility at no cost
- Coordinate with their physician on their behalf
- Handle all insurance and Medicare paperwork
- Begin care as soon as 24-48 hours after referral
Starting the conversation is the hardest part — we’re here to help with everything else.
Signs It May Be Time to Call Hospice
Frequent Hospital Visits
Multiple, recent hospital admissions or ER trips — a sign the body isn’t bouncing back the way it used to.
A Serious Illness
Advanced cancer, heart disease, COPD, dementia, kidney failure, ALS, or Parkinson’s are all among the most common qualifying diagnoses.
Worsening Symptoms
Increasing pain, breathing problems, fatigue, or other end-of-life symptoms that need expert management.
More Help with Daily Life
Needing assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, or walking — tasks that used to be easy.
A General Decline
Slower recovery from setbacks, loss of appetite, more time in bed — a body and mind quietly winding down.
Caregiver Strain
Family caregivers feeling exhausted, isolated, or unsure what to do next. Hospice supports them too.
We Are Here to Help
After completing the form, a member of our Admissions and Referral team will be in contact with you. If you have not received a call back within 24 hours (or the next business day), please call 336-889-8446.
Your information is private and will only be used to connect you with our care team. We will never share your details with third parties.
Not Sure If It's Time for Hospice?
Take our short assessment to help you decide if hospice care may be right for your loved one.
Think you need hospice care?
The following questionnaire may help you decide if hospice care is the right care for you.
What Families Are Saying
Don't Let Cost Be the Reason You Wait
Hospice care is fully covered for most patients.
Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover 100% of hospice services — including medications related to the hospice diagnosis, medical equipment, and supplies delivered to your home.
There are no copays, no deductibles, and no surprise bills for covered hospice services. Our team will help you understand your specific coverage before care begins.
For patients without insurance, Hospice of the Piedmont provides care regardless of someone’s ability to pay. Generous gifts from our community help make this commitment possible. If cost is the only thing holding you back, please call us first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Anyone can make a hospice referral – individuals, family members, caregivers, neighbors and friends.
You don’t have to wait for a doctor or hospital referral. You can reach out to us directly. To make a referral to Hospice of the Piedmont or Hospice of Randolph, call us at 336.889.8446 or fill out our referral form.
Palliative care is appropriate for someone living with a chronic or serious illness when symptom management and quality of life are important concerns, even while treatments or a cure are still being pursued. Hospice care is considered when the focus shifts fully to comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment.
Hospice of the Piedmont, and its affiliate, Hospice of Randolph, provide services across an eight-county service area in central North Carolina. This includes cities such as Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, Asheboro, Randleman, Seagrove, and surrounding areas.
Hospice care can be provided wherever someone calls home – at their private residence, in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, and when needed in one of our hospice inpatient facilities, Hospice Home at High Point or the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.
A typical hospice care team includes a hospice provider, a registered nurse case manager, a hospice aide (CNA), a licensed social worker, a chaplain, volunteers, and a bereavement counselor – plus 24/7 on-call clinical support.
Our hospice team will be honest, and we’ll help you understand your healthcare options no matter where you are in your healthcare journey. If hospice isn’t the right fit yet, there may be other services that we can offer.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Whether you’re ready to make a referral, want to talk through hospice eligibility, or just have questions about end-of-life symptoms and what to expect, our team is here to listen.