The first two weeks after hospice begins are often the busiest, with new equipment arriving, a changing daily routine, and a home that may need small but important adjustments. This guide walks through how to set up a safe, comfortable space for your loved one, room by room, during this early period.

Why the First Two Weeks Matter So Much

The early days of hospice care are a period of adjustment for everyone in the house. Your loved one’s mobility, strength, and needs may be changing quickly, and the home that worked fine a few months ago may not fit where things stand now. Small safety gaps, a loose rug, a dim hallway, a bed that is hard to get in and out of, become bigger risks during this window.

The good news is that most of what matters here is practical, not complicated. A few focused changes can make the home noticeably safer and more comfortable without a full renovation. Our 4 Levels of Care page explains how support can adjust if needs change beyond what home setup alone can address.

Start With the Room Your Loved One Will Use Most

Most hospice patients spend the majority of their time in one central room, often a bedroom or a converted living room space. Focus your first efforts here.

• Clear pathways. Remove rugs, cords, and clutter between the bed and the bathroom or most-used chair. A clear three-foot path reduces fall risk significantly.
• Position the bed thoughtfully. If a hospital bed is part of the care plan, place it where your loved one can see a window or doorway, which many patients find more comforting than facing a blank wall.
• Keep essentials within reach. A bedside table with water, medications, tissues, and a call bell or phone reduces how often your loved one needs to get up unassisted.
• Add a nightlight. Overnight bathroom trips are a common source of falls. A simple plug-in nightlight along the path to the bathroom makes a real difference.

Our Registered Nurses and CNAs / Aides can offer specific suggestions based on your loved one’s mobility and symptoms during early visits.

Bathroom Safety Adjustments

Bathrooms are one of the highest-risk areas in any home, and even small changes here go a long way.

• A shower chair or transfer bench, if bathing independently has become difficult
• A raised toilet seat with arms, which reduces strain on the knees and lower back
• Grab bars near the toilet and shower, installed securely into a wall stud rather than just drywall
• A non-slip mat both inside and outside the shower or tub

If your loved one’s needs include wound care, our Wound Care team can also advise on bathroom setup specific to healing and hygiene needs.

Equipment That Often Arrives in the First Week

Depending on the care plan, a few pieces of equipment commonly show up early on, and having a plan for where they go matters as much as having them at all.

• Hospital bed: Needs enough clearance on both sides for caregivers and equipment to move around safely.
• Wheelchair or walker: Store it somewhere consistent and easy to reach, not tucked in a closet, so it actually gets used.
• Oxygen equipment, if needed: Keep tubing out of walkways and away from open flames or heat sources.
• Bedside commode: Position it close enough to reduce nighttime walking distance, with a clear, well-lit path.

Learn more: 5 Things You Can Stop Doing Once Hospice Starts

Lighting, Temperature, and Comfort

Safety is not only about preventing falls. A few comfort-focused adjustments help the whole household during this transition.

• Lighting: Softer, warmer lighting in the main room tends to feel less clinical than bright overhead light, while still providing enough visibility for caregivers to work safely.
• Temperature: Many hospice patients become more sensitive to temperature changes. A thermometer in the main room and an extra blanket or fan nearby helps you respond quickly.
• Noise: If the home is typically busy or loud, consider how sound travels into the patient’s main room, especially during rest periods.

Keeping Medications and Supplies Organized

A simple, consistent system for medications and supplies reduces stress during an already demanding time. Keep medications in one designated spot, away from where children or confused family members might access them accidentally, and keep a written log of what is given and when. If a comfort kit has been provided for symptom management, make sure every caregiver in the household knows where it is and how to use it.

Who to Call as the Setup Evolves

Home setup is rarely finished after one visit. As your loved one’s needs change, so will what the space requires. Your Social Workers can help coordinate equipment and community resources, and your care team can reassess the home environment at any point, not just during intake. If caregiving responsibilities start to feel like too much to manage alone, Respite Care and broader Family Support services are available to the whole household, not just the patient.

If questions come up about what to expect in these early weeks more broadly, our article on How Hospice and Early Referral Improve Quality of Life explains why getting settled sooner, rather than waiting, tends to benefit both the patient and the family. If your loved one’s needs become more complex than home care can manage, our article on Inpatient Hospice Care: What It Is and When Families Need It explains that option as well.

You Don’t Have to Set This Up Alone

Every home is different, and your hospice team is there to help you figure out what actually fits yours, not hand you a generic checklist. Our FAQs page and broader Resources section cover more questions families ask during this period.

A Gentle Next Step

If you are preparing your home for hospice care and are not sure where to start, you do not have to figure it out on your own. Call (469) 630-2538 any time to speak with our team, or have us call you at a time that works better for your family. We serve families across Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, Parker, Dallas, and Ellis counties, and we are glad to help you get settled during these first important weeks.