Is It Time for Hospice?

Possible Signs

More frequent hospitalizations or emergency-room visits
Repeated infections
Increasing pain, shortness of breath or other difficult symptoms
Significant weight loss or reduced appetite
More time sleeping or resting

No single sign determines whether someone is eligible. Our team can review the person’s

condition, recent changes and goals to help the family understand whether hospice may be

appropriate.

You do not have to wait for a crisis to ask about hospice.

Hospice may be appropriate when a serious illness continues to progress despite treatment, daily activities become more difficult, or the focus of care begins shifting from cure to comfort.

Increasing weakness, falls or difficulty walking
Needing more assistance with bathing, dressing or eating
Worsening confusion or dementia
Treatments are no longer helping or are becoming burdensome
The caregiver is becoming physically or emotionally exhausted
The patient says they want to remain comfortable and avoid the hospital