Going Home With Hospice in Pasco & Hillsborough County, Florida

“Mom is going home with hospice.”

Families in Pasco County and Hillsborough County hear this phrase every day—from hospitals, rehab facilities, and physicians. Unfortunately, many families in our local Florida communities do not fully understand what “going home with hospice” means.

A common misconception is that hospice provides 24/7 in-home caregivers. In most cases, hospice provides medical oversight and intermittent support, while hands-on daily care remains the responsibility of family members or private caregivers.

This guide is designed to help families in Pasco and Hillsborough County, Florida understand:

• Hospice care vs. palliative care
• What hospice services actually include
• What to expect when a loved one goes home with hospice in Florida

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care in Florida

In Florida, palliative care and hospice care are regulated differently, though they share the same goal: comfort and quality of life.

Palliative Care

• Available at any stage of serious illness
• Focuses on symptom management, comfort, and emotional support
• Can be provided alongside curative treatments

Hospice Care

• Reserved for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less (per Medicare guidelines)
• Focuses entirely on comfort care, not curative treatment
• Is the most common form of end-of-life care in Pasco and Hillsborough County

Hospice Care Services Available in Pasco & Hillsborough County

Being on hospice does not mean death is imminent. Many Florida hospice patients receive care for months or longer if eligibility criteria are met.

Common Hospice Diagnoses

• Cancer
• Advanced heart disease
• COPD and other lung diseases
• ALS
• Late-stage Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Typical Hospice Services in Florida

When enrolled with a Florida-licensed hospice provider, patients generally receive:

• An RN case manager overseeing care (24/7 on-call support)
• A hospice care team including:
  • Social workers
  • CNAs and LPNs
  • Chaplains
  • Physicians
  • Volunteers (availability varies locally)
• Hospice-related medications and medical equipment, such as:
  • Hospital beds
  • Wheelchairs
  • Walkers
  • Oxygen
• CNA visits for bathing and personal care
• Grief and bereavement support for families in Pasco and Hillsborough County

⚠️ Important: Hospice in Florida does not typically provide 24/7 daily caregiving unless the patient qualifies for Continuous Care.

Continuous Hospice Care in Florida

When a patient enters the active dying phase, Florida hospice providers may offer:

Options for Increased Care

• Transfer to a Hospice House or inpatient hospice unit
  OR
• Continuous Care at home, when medically necessary and staffing allows

Continuous Care at Home

• Provided by an RN or LPN
• Intended for patients with severe, unmanaged symptoms
• Typically lasts up to 72 hours, though extensions are possible
• Ends if the patient stabilizes

What “Going Home With Hospice” Means in Pasco & Hillsborough County

1. Going Home With Hospice Oversight (Most Common)

If a loved one is discharged home with hospice oversight in Pasco or Hillsborough County, families should expect hospice to:

• Visit within 48 hours of hospital discharge
• Arrange delivery of medical equipment to the home
• Coordinate hospice-related medications and supplies
• Train family members on caregiving tasks
• Not provide 24/7 care at home

2. Going Home to Die With Hospice Support

If a patient is being discharged specifically to die at home in Florida, families may expect:

• Rapid hospice setup
• Continuous Care (24/7 nursing), staffing permitting
• Care that continues until:
  • The patient passes, or
  • Symptoms stabilize and Continuous Care is no longer medically necessary

Florida Hospice Rules & Local Resources

Hospice care in Florida follows both Medicare regulations and state-specific guidelines. For official resources, visit the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) FAQ page.

Q: Does hospice provide 24/7 care at home in Florida?
A: Hospice typically does not provide 24/7 caregiving unless the patient qualifies for Continuous Care during the active dying phase.

Q: How fast does hospice start after hospital discharge in Pasco County?
A: Most Florida hospice providers visit within 48 hours of discharge, often sooner if the patient is actively declining.

Q: Can families hire private caregivers while on hospice in Florida?
A: Yes. Families in Pasco and Hillsborough County often supplement hospice with private-duty caregivers.