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Supporting a grieving friend can feel really tough. You want to be helpful but are afraid of saying the wrong thing. It takes courage to show up and be present for someone else’s pain. Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful on what to do (and what NOT to do)to support a friend in grief.

Let’s be frank. The word “hospice” elicits a variety of thoughts and emotions, ranging from sad to relieved, depending on past exposure and experience. Hospice is linked to death and dying, so talking about it naturally shifts our thoughts to our mortality and saying goodbye to our lives here.

Routine home care is known as the most common form of hospice care provided. It is the foundation and base care plan that teams use to address patients’ needs.

The endgame of ACP is for your wishes to be honored by your loved ones and your healthcare providers. The best way to get there is to talk, become known, and share.

There are patients who may start out receiving hospice care at home, and end up requiring more than just routine hospice care. Unfortunately, some patients may have such severe symptoms, pain, or medical conditions that they warrant extended periods of in-home nursing care.

How do you decide between finding hospice or palliative care for your loved one? Learn more about the difference between hospice and palliative care here.