When to Consider Hospice Care Services

The decision to receive hospice care is a deeply personal one. It is something that should be discussed and decided upon collaboratively with the patient, their family, and healthcare provider. When possible, the patient should drive the conversation and be the final decision-maker.

Typically, the decision to consider hospice care services takes place when curative treatments are no longer effective and the care focus should shift to quality of life and comfort. Sometimes this can be uncertain and challenging to ascertain. As a trusted hospice provider, we can shed some light on when you or your loved one may consider hospice care to be beneficial:

• Illness is terminal. If curative treatment is no longer appropriate or effective. This may include advanced stages of heart or lung disease, cancer, renal disease or other illnesses.
• Prognosis of six months of less. Hospice is typically covered by insurance if a patient has a life expectancy of six months or less. A patient may live longer or shorter than 6 months, and still receive hospice care.
• Functional decline. If physical and mental functions begin to decline and performing activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, mobility, eating, etc.) are challenging or not possible.
• Pain and symptom management. If pain or symptoms become more difficult to manage and are not responding to medication, hospice care can provide specialized care to better alleviate or control these.
• Patient preference. Some patients and families may not be interested in pursuing aggressive treatments that have limited potential for positive outcome. They may prefer to prioritize quality of life and opt for hospice care to help achieve this.
• Rapid health decline. If the patient is hospitalized frequently or health is declining rapidly, this may be a sign that hospice care could be an appropriate option.

Knowing when to consider hospice services is not always easy, but it is helpful to remember that hospice care is a specialized health care that can be provided in a variety of settings and is typically covered by health insurance. Hospice services prioritize comfort, emotional support, pain and symptom management, and quality of life during the end-of-life journey

Remembrance Hospice is a high-quality provider of comfort care, palliative care, and hospice care in Medina, Ohio and surrounding communities. We offer a wide range of services, including nursing visits, bereavement support, chaplain visits, and more. If you are interested in learning more, contact us at 330-952-1930.