11/18/2025
Open communication is everything!
When you or someone you love is on hospice, everything can feel fragile, your heart, your hopes, even your voice. I want you to know something: hospice is not the boss of you. We are not here to take over or to dictate what should happen. Our role is to support you, to honor your loved one, and to walk with you in a way that feels right for you. But we can only do that if you tell us what you need, what scares you, what feels off, or what you don’t understand.
If a nurse suggests a medication or recommends increasing one, you have every right to ask why. If you don’t like something, say so. If you’re afraid, please tell us. This doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you a fierce advocate for the person you love.
We are not here to tell you what you “should” do. We are here to ask what you want, what you hope for, and how we can support you in a way that reflects your values and your person’s dignity.
I look at it like this: when the dying process is met with clarity, communication, and compassion, even in the hardest moments, the path through grief becomes gentler. It doesn’t remove the pain of losing someone you love, but it keeps you from carrying the heavy weight of “I should have spoken up” or “I should have asked.” Some things are out of your control, and some things are out of ours, but asking questions never hurts. Speaking up never hurts. Silence, however, often does.
As a hospice nurse and an end-of-life doula, I want to know how you feel about the care you’re receiving. I want to understand what matters to you and what worries you. I want to make sure your needs, and your loved one’s needs, are truly honored. Please don’t ever be afraid to use your voice.
We are here to meet you exactly where you are, and we can walk this with you so much better when you let us in.
xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net
