Deciding to discontinue palliative care and seek home hospice is exceedingly difficult for the patient’s comfort and wellbeing and their family and friends. And no one wants to start hospice care too soon.

There’s a lot to consider, but the indications are present if we delve a bit further into how our loved one is feeling. Here are common indicators someone is ready for hospice care:

• Frequent Emergency Room Visits
  When you spend the majority of your time in the hospital, it could be a sign that the costs of your care outweigh the benefits.
• Frequent or Reoccurring Infections
  Infections indicate that your immune system is no longer able to meet the demands imposed on it. Because severe infections can be fatal, it’s a good idea to start thinking about end-of-life care.
• Functioning Begins to Decline
  When you have difficulty performing daily tasks such as cooking, dressing, or bathing, it could be a sign that your medical treatment is no longer effective. Weakness and changes in regular activities are frequently indicators that a patient’s health is deteriorating.
• You as the Caregiver Is Getting Tired
  Because the chronic disease does not allow for time off, caring for a terminally ill loved one often necessitates round-the-clock care with no respite. Progressive Home Health & Hospice can assist with the stress of caregiving and provide you with information about senior care in Kansas.
• Confusion or Declining Mental Function
  Patients who require palliative or hospice care frequently experience an abrupt decline in mental functionality, which can leave them confused and irritable.

We continuously monitor our resident’s home health in Wichita, Kansas, so that our medical team can provide sound advice concerning end-of-life care. Contact us at 316-691-5050 or dorothy@progressivecare.net if you would like to talk with a hospice professional.