Eating less
The body may need less food and fluid near the end of life.
Pam + Vanessa · Mother + daughter hospice RNsDeath is hard.
Death is hard.
Understanding it helps.
We explain what hospice does, what families may see, and why comfort matters. It is information we wish more families had before a crisis.
Families should not have to learn about hospice in the middle of a crisis.
We help people understand what hospice can provide, prepare for changes they may encounter, and recognize why comfort is such an important part of care.
Featured conversation
Signs that end of life is near.
Some changes can look frightening. We explain what they can mean and why they may not be distressing to the person you love.
Watch · 1 min
Companion guide
What families may see.
These changes are common near the end of life. Your hospice team can explain what is happening and help keep your loved one comfortable.
More sleep
A person may become less responsive and spend more time sleeping.
Breathing changes
Breathing may become irregular, shallow, or noisy.
Cool or mottled skin
Circulation changes can affect skin color and temperature.
Some of these changes can be difficult to watch. They do not always mean the person is uncomfortable.
Important: This information is educational, not personal medical advice. Call your care team about a specific person. Call 911 for an emergency.
What we talk about
Clear information for difficult moments.
So families can understand what they are looking at, ask better questions, and make decisions with more context.
What hospice provides
Comfort care, symptom support, equipment, medication, and guidance for patients and the people who love them.
What families may see
Changes in eating, sleeping, breathing, awareness, and circulation near the end of life.
How comfort care helps
What comfort means, how symptoms are managed, and when to call the hospice team.
A little about us
We’re Pam andVanessa.
Mother and daughter. Hospice nurses. We explain what families may see, what comfort means, and when to ask for help.
PamHospice RN since 2007 · Mom
Pam helps patients stay comfortable and families understand what is happening.
VanessaHospice RN since 2012 · Daughter
Vanessa brings clarity, warmth, and a willingness to say what everyone else is thinking.
Vanessa “We are all going to die.” Pam “Yeah.”
We are a lot of fun at dinner parties.
Trusted starting points
Learn more from sources you can trust.
National resources for understanding hospice coverage, finding a provider, and planning care.
Your turn
Send it our way.
Ask a question. Request a topic. Tell us what we missed or got wrong. We want all of it.
New videos · Straight answers
Find us wherever you scroll.
Hospice information, honest conversations, and the occasional laugh at an inappropriate time.