HOSPICE CARE

The First 72 Hours of Hospice in Atlanta for Caregivers

Medications change. You must learn what to give, when to give it, and how to track it.
If that is the thought keeping you up tonight, this guide is for you. 

The first 72 hours of hospice in Atlanta can feel like a crash course in comfort care while real life keeps moving. New faces arrive, equipment is delivered, and you are suddenly the keeper of a medication plan that matters. This guide walks you through what typically happens in the first 72 hours of hospice care in Atlanta so you know who will visit, what supplies arrive, how medications are handled, and how you can care for yourself while caring for your loved one. 

What “The First 72 Hours” Usually Looks Like in Atlanta

The first week of home hospice often includes a flurry of activity. You can expect an initial nursing assessment, a personalized care plan, and early deliveries of medical equipment and supplies. After those first days, the pace normally settles into a predictable routine of scheduled visits and on-call support.

Who may visit in the first 3 days

• Registered nurse: assesses comfort, reviews symptoms, sets up medications, and creates your plan of care. See what our first nurse visit includes. Read: What To Expect During The First Visit From A Hospice Nurse
• Hospice aide: helps with bathing and personal care as needed.
• Social worker: supports paperwork, community resources, and family coping.
• Chaplain or spiritual care provider: offers spiritual and emotional support based on your preferences.
• Physician oversight: reviews orders and confirms the plan of care.
• On-call team: available any time of day or night for urgent changes or questions. 

Day 1: Admission, Assessment, and Immediate Comfort

What Typically Happens

• A nurse meets you to complete the admission, review your loved one’s history, check vital comfort needs, reconcile medications, and begin symptom relief. Many hospices arrange nurse visits on the day of admission and aim to stabilize urgent symptoms within the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Your plan of care is created with you. It covers visit frequency, goals, and how to reach us after hours.

How You Can Help

• Gather current medications, allergies, and recent hospital or clinic notes.
• Share what comfort looks like for your loved one. Small details help us tailor care.
• Save our on-call number in your phone so you can reach a nurse any time: Call (404) 921-3341.

Day 2: Equipment, Supplies, and Safety Setup

Durable medical equipment is arranged based on the plan of care and may include a hospital bed, over-bed table, oxygen, a commode, or a wheelchair. Early delivery supports comfort and safety so you can settle into a workable routine quickly. 

During this day, starter supplies also arrive, such as incontinence products, wound care materials, and skin protection, so you have what you need on hand from the start.

How You Can Help

• Prepare a clear pathway around the bed. Remove trip hazards and add a nightlight. Our home setup checklist can help. Read more at: How to Prepare Your Home for Hospice Care
• Choose a central spot for medications and the nurse’s binder so everyone can find instructions quickly.

Day 3: Routine Settles In and Questions Get Answered

Visits begin to follow the schedule in your plan of care. You can expect regular nurse and aide visits, with social work and chaplain support included as you choose based on your family’s preferences and needs.

During each visit, your team checks pain, breathlessness, anxiety, nausea, constipation, and skin comfort. They adjust medications and non-drug supports to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible.

You can help by keeping a simple symptom log that notes what is happening, when it started, and what seemed to help. Call us for new pain, agitation, shortness of breath, sudden confusion, or anytime your instincts say something has changed. Twenty-four hour support is part of hospice.

Medication Basics in the First 72 Hours

• A nurse reconciles current prescriptions and, if needed, starts a comfort medication set for pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea, and terminal secretions. The goal is comfort, not sedation, and dosing is individualized. National standards emphasize timely relief of distressing symptoms.
• Ask how to use each medication, what to try first, and when to call. Store medicines safely and track doses on your medication list.

Emotional and Spiritual Support for You and Your Loved One

Hospice supports the whole family. You can ask for a chaplain, counselor, or social worker as early as admission to help with anticipatory grief, difficult conversations, legacy projects, and community resources.

Quick Caregiver Checklist for the First 3 Days

Communication

• Save the on-call number. Call (404) 921-3341.
• Put the visit schedule on the fridge and share it with family.

Comfort

• Keep breakthrough comfort meds within reach of the primary caregiver.
• Use non-drug tools: position changes, fan for airflow, quiet music, and dim lighting.

Safety

• Clear walkways, secure area rugs, and place a bell or call button by the bed.
• Post the emergency plan: who to call, medication list, and DNR status if chosen.

Paperwork

• Place insurance cards, ID, and advance directives in a folder near the nurse binder.
• List key contacts: primary doctor, hospice nurse, social worker, chaplain.

When Symptoms Change

End-of-life symptoms can shift quickly. You are not alone. Call for help if you notice new or worsening pain, shortness of breath, agitation, confusion, or fast declines in eating or drinking. Your team can adjust the plan, including medication changes and extra visits, at any time. 

Local Insight for Atlanta Caregivers

Caregivers in Atlanta and Fulton County often balance work, school traffic, and multi-generational households. Tell us what your days look like so we can time visits and equipment deliveries in ways that fit your routine. If your loved one is in a facility or you are coordinating across multiple addresses, we will help organize communication so you get one clear plan and one number to call. Explore our Locations here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Care in Atlanta

How fast does hospice start in Atlanta?
Same-day or next-day nursing visits are common, depending on referral timing, safety needs, and your location. Admission and stabilization often occur within 24 to 48 hours, with urgent cases prioritized.

Do I have to be present for every visit?
Choose what works for your family. We recommend one point person for care coordination, but we can update others by phone.

Can hospice help at night or on weekends?
Yes. Hospice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent needs, guidance, and nurse visits when appropriate.

What if my loved one’s needs are spiritual or emotional, not medical?
You can request chaplain, counselor, or social work support from day one. These services are part of comprehensive hospice care. 

Get Help When Starting Hospice in Atlanta 

Call our team anytime at (404) 921-3341. Inspire Hospice serves families across Metro Atlanta, including Fulton County and surrounding communities. We focus on comfort, clear communication, and support for the whole family so you can be present with the person you love.