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Questions? We're here for you.

(800) 553-4289

Visiting Agrace (effective March 1, 2022):

Visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and sign in at the reception desk before they can visit Agrace’s hospice inpatient units and other areas of our buildings.
Visitors must wear an N95/KN95 or Agrace-provided surgical mask while at Agrace. Visitors must wear a face mask any time they are interacting with an Agrace employee. The only times visitors may be without a mask are if they are eating or drinking in the cafe, in a patient room without Agrace staff present, or in an enclosed space (like a family kitchen) AND everyone is up-to-date with COVID vaccinations, including boosters, if eligible.

If you have any questions before visiting Agrace, please call (800) 553-4289

Caregiver Education

Learn how you can help a hospice patient feel as comfortable as possible, while also caring for yourself.

Caring for someone you love at end of their life can be an honor and a blessing. But it can also be overwhelming sometimes.

This page is full of helpful tip sheets, articles, videos and website links that can help you learn about caring for a person on hospice. But please remember that you’re not on your own. Whenever you need support or advice about your role as a caregiver, Agrace is just a click or phone call away.

Call us at (800) 553-4289 any time of day or night if:

Pain or other symptoms are getting worse
A new change worries you, and need to talk with someone before your next scheduled visit
You need medication changes or refills

Find Support

Caregiver Support

Agrace Adult Day Center
A safe, supportive place in Madison for seniors to spend weekdays
Respite Care
An option for Agrace's hospice patients and their family caregivers
Helpful Caregiver Websites, by Location
Taking Care of You
Wisconsin Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance
Suggested Books

County Aging Resource Centers

Patient & Family Care Handbooks

You can enlarge the text size by clicking the "+" on the open document.

Agrace Hospice Patient & Family Care Handbook
This handbook will help you confidently care for a hospice patient at home, between Agrace's visits.
Advanced Cardiac Care Program Patient & Caregiver Handbook
This handbook is for people living with advanced heart disease.
Printable Cardiac Care Program Symptom Tracking Sheet
Manual para pacientes y cuidadores del Programa avanzado de cuidados cardíacos
Un programa especializado para personas que viven con una enfermedad cardíaca avanzada
Seguimiento de síntomas del Programa de atención cardíaca de Agrace
Printable Cardiac Care Program Symptom Tracking Sheet in Spanish

Comfort & Care

You can help your loved one be more comfortable by following the tips on these teaching sheets. Many are from our Patient & Family Care Handbook, so some have references to other parts of the handbook.

Relief from Common Symptoms

Comfort & Protection

Preventing Falls
Preventing Infections
Preventing COVID-19
Safety tips specific to preventing the spread of COVID-19
Protecting the Skin
Using Comfort Medicines
Directions for giving common comfort medications, what side effects might happen, and pages to log doses.
Caring for People Who Have Dementia (booklet)

Home Medical Equipment, Medications & Supplies

Safe Use of Medical Equipment (supplied by Agrace DME)
Teaching sheets for using medical equipment supplied by Agrace.
Durable Medical Equipment Recycling
Safe Medication Disposal
Map of Wisconsin Registered Sharps Collection Sites

Everyday Care

Final Days & Hours

What to Expect When Death is Approaching
The common signs and symptoms that may appear when a person is in their final days or hours.
Cuando la muerte se aproxima
Este folleto explica varios de los signos y síntomas que pueden experimentar las personas a medida que se acercan al final de la vida. (This resource is the Spanish translation of our "What to Expect When Death Is Approaching" booklet.)
Yam Cia Siab Tias Yuav Tau Txais Thaum Kev Tuag Los Ze Zuj Zus
Daim ntawv qhia no piav qhia txog ntau cov cim thiab cov tsos mob uas cov neeg yuav ntsib thaum lawv nyob ze rau thaum kawg ntawm lub neej lawm. (This resource is the Hmong translation of our "What to Expect When Death Is Approaching" booklet.)
Planning a Funeral

Printable Forms

These materials can be found inside your Patient & Family Care Handbook. If you need additional copies, please ask your care team for assistance.

Medication Tracker
Bowel Movement Tracker
After-death Notification Checklist
Power of Attorney for Health Care Form
This form is fillable or printable.
Addendum to the Power of Attorney for Health Care Form
Do Not Resuscitate Form
Residence/Memory Care Suites Application

Videos

Video instructions for opening an oxygen tank.

How to open an oxygen tank

Video instructions on common caregiving activities.

Talking With a Loved One Who Is Dying

How to Change Sheets on Occupied Bed

Moving Toward the Head of the Bed

Turning Someone in Bed

Moving from Bed to Wheelchair

Providing Help with Walking

Giving a bed Bath

Caring for the Skin

Caring for Hair

Helping with Mouth Care

Video instructions on how to give medications.

Giving Meds by Mouth

Applying a medicated patch

Giving Meds Through Nose

Applying Oxygen

Giving Meds under Tongue

Giving Meds by Suppository

Pain Medication Side Effects

Giving Meds by Rectal Catheter

Email Support

If you need help urgently, please call. Otherwise, email us directly at caregiversupport@agrace.org, or send your questions through our online contact form.

(800) 553-4289

To compliment a staff member, email us at patientandfamilyrelations@agrace.org

(800) 553-4289

Caregiver Education