By the Talna Hospice Care team. Published . Last updated .
It may be time for hospice when a doctor believes a serious illness is likely to run its course within six months and the focus shifts from cure to comfort. Many families say they wish they had called sooner.
Common signs it may be time
No single sign decides it, but patterns like these are worth discussing with a physician:
- Frequent emergency visits or hospital stays in recent months
- Treatments that are no longer helping, or that cause more burden than benefit
- Noticeable weight loss, weakness, or more time spent sleeping
- Needing more help with walking, bathing, eating, or dressing
- Pain, breathlessness, or other symptoms that are hard to control at home
Who is eligible for hospice?
Under Medicare, a patient is eligible when their physician and the hospice medical director certify a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its usual course. The patient chooses comfort care instead of curative treatment for that illness.
Hospice is not limited to six months. Patients can continue receiving care as long as a physician continues to certify eligibility.
How to start the conversation
Begin by asking your loved one what matters most to them in the time ahead. Then ask their doctor directly whether hospice could help. You can also call a hospice provider for an informational visit before any decision is made.
This article is general education, not medical advice. Talk with your physician about your situation, or call Talna at (951) 677-5300.