Signs It May Be Time to Start Hospice Care

Knowing when to consider hospice care can seem overwhelming. It is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. Keep in mind care can start as soon as a terminal diagnosis is given. Most people who receive hospice care say they wish they had started care sooner. Research shows enrolling in care early helps increase both quality of life and length of life. Hospice also helps ease the emotional stress on family and provide peace of mind that they have done everything possible, both of which decreases the family’s likelihood of experiencing complicated grief.

Here are some signs and conditions that signal hospice care may be appropriate:

• Frequent hospitalizations or visits to the ER for complications of disease
• Frequent calls or multiple visits to doctor’s office
• Increased pain, and current pain medications seem less effective
• Shortness of breath even while resting
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Spends most time in a chair or bed
• Less desire to eat or significant, unintentional weight loss
• Inability to perform daily living tasks such as eating, dressing, grooming, walking, taking medications
• Frequent falls
• Decreasing alertness, withdrawal, increase sleeping or mental confusion
• You’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed as a caregiver
• Chooses to focus on quality of life and comfort rather than aggressive treatments

Some of the most common diagnoses for patients receiving hospice care are:

• Advanced liver disease or cirrhosis
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s)
• Cancer
• COPD or interstitial lung disease –  if using home oxygen or ever hospitalized for the condition
• Dementia/Alzheimer’s – at any stage – early, middle, or late
• Diabetes with severe complications – affecting heart, circulation in legs, or kidney disease
• End stage renal failure or advanced kidney disease
• Heart failure – if ever hospitalized for the condition
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s

A doctor’s referral is not required. Anyone can make a referral to hospice – a patient, family member, friend, spiritual leader, or neighbor to name a few. Early referrals ensure the patient and family can benefit from all that hospice provides including care visits, medication, medical equipment, and supplies. Experts agree hospice is most beneficial when provided for a minimum of 3 months.