All Posts
A Season to Pause and Reflect
November often brings families together around the table to share a meal, reflect on the past year, and express gratitude. It is also a season when conversations about health, caregiving, and quality of life often surface. These moments of honesty and connection can be a gift in themselves. For families facing serious illness, Thanksgiving may be one of the last holidays spent together. Talking about hospice early can ensure that time is filled with comfort, dignity, and meaningful connection.
Why Families Say “I Wish We Had Called Sooner”
Families often share that their biggest regret is waiting too long to call hospice.
“I am so grateful to hospice and so grateful to you… I wish I had signed up months before I did.”
— Daughter of a Kindful Patient, Dallas
Another patient’s spouse wrote,
“My only regret is not calling you sooner, as you are definitely the best.”
These voices remind us that hospice is not about giving up. It’s about giving families more moments together, free from unnecessary suffering.
The Reality of Late Referrals and the Gift of Time
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that the median stay in hospice is only around 17 days. Too many families wait until the final days, missing out on months of support, comfort, and relief.
What’s more, studies show hospice patients often live longer:
- 24% longer life when receiving hospice at home
- Two extra months for lung cancer patients receiving palliative care
- 29 days longer for certain cancer and heart patients
- 44% longer survival even for those with only days to live
That means more holidays, more shared meals, and more time for goodbyes and gratitude.
Thanksgiving: An Opportunity for Honest Conversation
Holidays often bring families together in ways everyday life does not. These gatherings can be the right time to gently ask:
- How is Mom really feeling day to day?
- What support do we need as a family to provide her the best care?
- Would hospice give us the peace and help we’ve been missing?
Finding Gratitude in Hospice Care
Gratitude during the holidays may look different for families walking through illness, but it is no less profound. Hospice gives the gift of time; to say what needs to be said, to share meals without worry, to simply sit in each other’s presence.
As one family put it: “You made her feel special, cared for, safe, loved and that she still mattered.”
A Call to Families
This November, give your family the gift of peace and presence. If you have questions about whether it’s time for hospice, visit When to Consider Hospice or call us directly. Starting the conversation early ensures that your loved one receives the full promise of hospice care and that you receive the support you deserve.
Call Kindful Health at (866) 730-4550.
