Discover how hospice care can support aging loved ones in assisted living, reduce hospital visits, and help families navigate elder care planning with confidence.
Our Family’s Experience with Assisted Living, Hospital Setbacks, and the Unexpected Gift of Hospice Support
Caring for an aging parent is never a straight road—it’s more like a winding path with unexpected turns, emotional detours, and hard decisions that feel like they come too soon. In my previous article, I shared the difficult but necessary decision my family made to move my 93-year-old mother into an assisted living facility. After years of caregiving and trying to meet her complex physical and emotional needs, it became clear that we needed more support than we could provide on our own. My sister and her husband who were the real “boots on the ground” were worn out.
At first, the transition was rocky, but then—something beautiful happened. She started to adjust. She joined activities, made new friends, and began to engage with the world around her again. She especially enjoyed playing Bingo and getting her hair done every week. For a short time, we had peace of mind and a glimpse of joy.
Then she was sick in bed for a week. Then she fell and broke her hip.
What followed was an exhausting three-month cycle of hospital stays and being in a rehab facility. Each transfer felt like a new wave of disruption. Mom, who already had some cognitive impairment, became increasingly confused about where she was. One day it might be a hospital room, the next a rehab center, and then—back again. The bouncing between unfamiliar settings has taken an emotional and cognitive toll on her in addition to the physical toll.
But perhaps hardest of all was hearing her express, in moments of clarity, that she was tired—tired of moving from place to place by ambulance, tired of starting over trying to remember people, tired of nowhere feeling like home.
Planning for Hospice Care— Almost a Miracle
After three months Mom was almost ready for discharge from rehab having made all the progress she could make. The decline in her health and functioning was obvious. Our hope was to bring her back to her assisted living facility, Brookdale, the place that felt most like home. But she needed more skilled nursing care than the assisted living staff could provide even with home health services coming in. Would she have to go to a nursing home? Yet another unfamiliar setting? Caila (Sales Manager) and Kim (Health and Wellness Director) at Brookdale steered us to the idea of hospice support.
That’s where hospice came to the rescue. Hospice could provide the additional skilled nursing Mom needed, an additional aide and any needed equipment. And Medicare would cover the hospice costs. We learned that hospice care can often replace the need for emergency room visits by addressing medical concerns quickly and directly in the comfort of a familiar setting. Whether it’s managing pain, adjusting medications, wound care, or assessing new symptoms, the hospice team becomes a first responder for the patient and family—often preventing unnecessary hospital trips altogether.
Mom hasn’t made the move back to assisted living just yet, it will be a few more days. But knowing there’s a solid plan in place—with even more support than before—has given our whole family a sense of relief and control. For the first time in weeks, we’ve been able to breathe again. And Mom is thrilled to be going back to her assisted living apartment and her friends and activities.
This shift in direction and renewed hope became possible thanks to Suncrest Hospice, and especially Peyton Singer, a compassionate and incredibly knowledgeable outreach professional. Peyton walked us through the process step by step and got the ball rolling to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.
We also deeply appreciate Beth, the hospice nurse who quickly completed Mom’s assessment and called to arrange for any equipment and services Mom would need. Peyton and Beth’s calm presence and clarity during a chaotic time helped ease the burden on our family and reminded us that we don’t have to do this alone.
Throughout this journey, I’ve continued to turn to voices I trust—experts who speak directly to the caregiver experience with honesty and compassion. Among them are:
- Carol Bradley Bursack, author and longtime caregiver advocate behind Minding Our Elders
- Teepa Snow, a renowned educator and Positive Approach to dementia care expert who is a wonderful resource
- Elizabeth Miller, creator of Happy Healthy Caregiver, who shares practical tips for finding balance while caring for a loved one
Their wisdom, practical advice, and heartfelt stories have helped me feel more grounded—and less alone—in every phase of this caregiving journey.
Hospice Is Not Giving Up—It’s Choosing Comfort and Dignity
Many people still misunderstand hospice as a service only for the final hours, or as a signal of “giving up.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and supporting the whole person—not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually.
Hospice doesn’t take over—it joins the care team. It provides:
- In-home nursing and pain management
- Emotional and spiritual support for patient and family
- Help with medication and equipment
- Bathing and personal care services
- Ongoing communication with the care team
- Bereavement support for loved ones
What hospice doesn’t provide is 24-hour, live-in care—but in settings like assisted living, it becomes an essential layer of compassionate support and skilled nursing care.
Looking Ahead with Hope and a Plan
Knowing that my mother will soon be returning to her familiar apartment—with her own furniture, the staff who know her, and the routines she enjoys—feels like giving her back a little piece of herself. And knowing she’ll have the extra support from hospice gives us peace of mind.
This transition isn’t just about care—it’s about quality of life. For her, and for us.
Resources to Learn More About Hospice
If you’re starting to wonder whether hospice might be right for your loved one, you’re not alone. Here are some helpful resources:
- National Alliance for Care at Home – The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) are forming a unified organization to lead, advocate, and educate in the field of home-based and end-of-life care. This new alliance strengthens support for care providers and recipients across all stages of life.
- Hospice Foundation of America – HFA supports compassionate end-of-life care by educating professionals, reaching underserved communities, and providing resources for patients, families, and those grieving a loss. Through clinical training, public outreach, and bereavement support, HFA ensures everyone has access to the comfort, knowledge, and dignity they deserve.
- CaringInfo.org – A program of the National Alliance for Care at Home that allows you to find hospice, palliative care and bereavement services using their search tool.
- Medicare Hospice Benefits Guide (PDF) – Helps you understand what is or is not covered by Medicare with regard to your hospice or palliative care.
Conclusion
There’s no perfect roadmap for senior care. But with the right help, there can be clarity. Hospice isn’t the end—it’s a way of saying, “We’re choosing peace, presence, and dignity.”
If you’re considering hospice for a loved one, please know it doesn’t mean you’ve failed them. It means you’re ready to give them what they truly need. And if you’re in the Cleveland area, Suncrest Hospice—and professionals like Peyton Singer and Nurse Beth—are the kind of allies every family should have in their corner.
Here at Mamapedia, let’s continue to share our stories, ask questions, and support one another. Because none of us should have to navigate this journey alone.
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Article Edited 4.11.2025
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