March 2022 – Patients and families can (and do!) refer themselves for hospice care.

The percentage of referrals we receive from patients, families and caregivers (rather than from medical providers) has increased from 20% five years ago to 25% in 2021. Our community members are increasingly aware of hospice services and benefits. We hope knowing this makes it easier to bring up hospice care with your frail patients.

Consider these ways to start the conversation:

“We’re in a different place now.”
“I think your dad might do better with care coming to him at home now.”
“What was it like for you to be in the hospital this time?”
“Have you heard about hospice care?”

For more information contact Dr. Leslie Estep or Dr. Anita Meyer at Hospice of the Northwest,
360-814-5550, or lestep@hospicenw.org  or  ameyer@hospicenw.org