Hospice is basically when the purpose of medical care goes from preserving life to maximizing comfort. It can be months of fairly normal life or a quick descent.
Often, but not always, patients are able to converse with loved ones, etc. While the ever increasing amounts of morphine are common, part of the reason is that actual tolerance for morphine with the pain of some end of life situations is much higher than you would suspect. Given that there is no risk of addiction (like there would be after a broken bone heals), the amounts are much higher than in other cases. However, to address your concern, the patient isn't normally high 24/7 waiting to die. They are not in pain and living out their last time on earth.
Often, but not always, patients are able to converse with loved ones, etc. While the ever increasing amounts of morphine are common, part of the reason is that actual tolerance for morphine with the pain of some end of life situations is much higher than you would suspect. Given that there is no risk of addiction (like there would be after a broken bone heals), the amounts are much higher than in other cases. However, to address your concern, the patient isn't normally high 24/7 waiting to die. They are not in pain and living out their last time on earth.