Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Rev Joel Beiler MDiv, CPE Supportive Services Team Leader, to discuss “Hospice Does Not Mean Giving Up” and help guide families through those important first steps.

Some key points discussed include:

• Hospice shifts the focus from curing to caring.
• Patients often experience improved quality of life and even stabilization.
• It empowers patients to define what matters most in their time.
• Choosing hospice is an active, thoughtful decision, not a passive one.
• It allows families to focus on connection, not crisis.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Jen Dixon, RN, Coastal Hospice Team Leader, to discuss “When is the Right Time to Refer?” and the importance of starting the conversation early.

Some key points discussed include:

• When curative treatment is no longer effective or aligned with patient goals.
• Increased hospitalizations, ER visits, or noticeable decline are key indicators.
• When symptom management becomes more complex or burdensome.
• When patients or families begin prioritizing comfort over aggressive treatment.
• Earlier referrals lead to better outcomes. There’s no downside to starting the conversation.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Ann Lovely RN, BSN, CHPN, Coastal Hospice President & CEO, to discuss “We Wish We Called Hospice Sooner” and help guide families through those important first steps.

Some key points discussed include:

• Many families say they didn’t realize how much support hospice truly provides until they experienced it.
• Earlier involvement means better symptom management and improved quality of life.
• Hospice supports the entire family, not just the patient.
• Waiting too long can mean missing opportunities for comfort, meaningful conversations, and planning.
• Hospice is about adding care, not taking anything away.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Nancy Stewart, Coastal Hospice Director of Access and Coastal Palliative Care Services, to discuss “What Happens When You Call Hospice” and help guide families through those important first steps.

Some key points discussed include:

• A compassionate team member responds quickly, often the same day.
• An evaluation is scheduled to determine eligibility and needs.
• The team explains services, answers questions, and supports decision-making.
• Care is coordinated seamlessly with the patient’s physician.
• There is no obligation, just information and support.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed by patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Alison Andrews Patterson, BSN, RN, Coastal Hospice Clinical Documentation Professional/QAPI, to discuss “What Happens on the First Visit” and help guide families through those important first steps.

Some key points discussed include:

• A comprehensive assessment of physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
• Time is spent listening to and understanding the goals of both the patient and their family.
• A personalized care plan is developed collaboratively.
• Medications, equipment, and services are arranged quickly.
• Families leave with clarity, support, and a direct line to help.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Lauren Blair, LMSW, VDTCT, DACE Coach Director of Business Development, to discuss “The 6 Month Myth: Explaining Eligibility & Hospice Care” and help guide families through those important first steps.

Some key points discussed include:

• Hospice eligibility is based on a physician’s prognosis of about six months or less.
• Patients can receive hospice care for longer if they continue to meet criteria.
• Some patients improve with hospice support and may even be discharged.
• Waiting for an exact timeline often delays beneficial care.
• Hospice is about need and eligibility, not a countdown.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Holly Murray, RN, BSN, Coastal Hospice Chief Clinical Officer, to discuss “The Role of the Hospice Team” and help educate the community about the many layers of support hospice provides.

Some key points discussed include:

• Nurses manage symptoms and provide clinical expertise.
• Social workers offer emotional support and resource navigation.
• Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support based on each patient and family’s beliefs, values, and preferences.
• Hospice aides assist with personal care and comfort.
• Volunteers and bereavement teams extend support beyond the patient’s life.
• Music Therapy

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Stacy Cottingham PhD, RN Director of Quality Improvement, to discuss “Caring for Someone at Home: What Families Should Expect” and help educate the community about the many layers of support hospice provides.

Some key points discussed include:

• Hospice provides guidance, training, and 24/7 support. Families are never alone.
• Equipment and medications are delivered to the home.
• The care plan evolves as needs change.
• Caregiving can be emotional and challenging; support is built in.
• The goal is comfort, dignity, and honoring the patient’s wishes at home.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Lauren Blair, LMSW, VDTCT, DACE Coach Director of Business Development, to discuss “What’s the Difference between Hospice Care in a Facility vs Hospice Care at Home?” and help educate the community about the many layers of support hospice provides.

Some key points discussed include:

· Hospice care meets patients wherever they are: at home, assisted living community, or a skilled nursing center.

• The hospice team partners with facility staff to enhance care.
• The same philosophy and services apply across settings.
• Families remain an important part of the care team in any setting.
• The goal is consistent, compassionate care regardless of location.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed by patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Lyndsey Hogue, DNP, MHA, CRNP, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner in Hospice and Palliative Care, Coastal Hospice to discuss “Managing Pain Without Fear” and help educate the community about the many layers of support hospice provides.

Some key points discussed include:

• Pain management is individualized and closely monitored.
• Medications are used safely and adjusted based on patient response.
• The goal is comfort without unnecessary sedation.
• Hospice teams address physical, emotional, and spiritual pain.
• Education helps families feel confident, not fearful about care.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!

Our moderator, Lauren King, BSW, Coastal Hospice Provider & Community Relations Team Leader, recently sat down with Ann Lovely RN, BSN, CHPN, Coastal Hospice President & CEO Coastal Hospice to discuss, “The Final Days: What Changes and Why” and help educate the community about the many layers of support hospice provides.

Some key points discussed include:

• Decreased appetite and increased sleep are natural parts of the process.
• Changes in breathing and circulation are expected and managed for comfort.
• The body is gradually conserving energy.
• Hospice prepares families for what to expect to reduce fear and uncertainty.
• Hospice helps prepare families for what to expect, reducing fear and uncertainty.
• The focus remains on dignity, peace, and comfort.

At Coastal Hospice, we understand these conversations are not always easy, but no one has to navigate them alone. We are here to provide expert, compassionate care and support every step of the way.

Referrals are welcomed from patients, families, and healthcare providers; no doctor’s referral is required to start the conversation. To make a hospice referral, call 410-742-7878 or go online. We accept referrals 24/7, 365 days a year!