Is Now the Time for Hospice?

How Do You Know When Hospice Care is the Right Choice?

It can be a difficult end-of-life choice to grapple with, but there comes a point when families and patients must decide whether it is time to enter hospice care or continue to seek curative medical help.

Hospice is often misunderstood. It is a type of treatment – not a place – and can be provided in many settings including the home, assisted living, hospitals or a stand-alone hospice facility. It is covered by Medicare after a doctor determines how long a patient is likely to live.

There are a number of things to consider as you weigh this decision, including whether treatment is no longer effective. It is a difficult decision, but experts agree that choosing to enter hospice while the patient has more time to benefit from the care it provides will make for a more comfortable end-of-life period. It is often the case that when a patient begins receiving hospice care, their health improves as more attention is put on providing relief from their symptoms.

What Exactly is Hospice Care and How Does It Work?

Hospice care is used when a disease gets to the point that treatment can no longer cure or control it. According to the American Cancer Society, many people avoid hospice because they think it is “giving up” and don’t realize they can leave hospice to pursue active treatment again at any time. The misconception means most people don’t enter hospice soon enough. Hospice care means the patient will not receive treatment to cure their disease but will receive palliative care to make them more comfortable.

When Should You Start Considering Hospice Care?

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Care Organization suggests that though challenging, it is best to begin asking about hospice care before it is needed. The following are some questions to consider:

Does the Patient Have Six Months or Less to Live?

This determination, made by a doctor, will make the patient eligible for Medicare coverage. As this article from Next Avenue explains, when a doctor certifies the hospice coverage, it sets in motion a range of services.  

Is there a Pattern of Frequent and Severe Health Issues?

The American Senior Communities blog lists ten signs it may be time for hospice including frequent ER trips, problems with pain management and difficulty with daily tasks.

Is Breathing, Eating, and Mobility Difficult?

According to the ALS Association, those who have issues with breathing, eating and mobility may want to discuss the option with their doctor and family.

Resources on Hospice Choices

Patients and families will want to learn as much as possible early on to determine the best choice for end-of-life care and discuss other decisions and wishes even though it may initially feel uncomfortable. The following websites have tips on how to choose the best hospice care for you or your loved one:

• Next Avenue 
• AARP 
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Association

For answers to common questions about hospice, visit our article: 5 Questions About Hospice Care: Facts vs. Fiction. Get started on making your final wishes a reality and plan today.