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5 Signs it is Time for Hospice Care

Published: December 16, 2021 | Reading Time: 2 minutes

Published: December 16, 2021
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A woman with short hair and glasses, wearing a mask, holds a green folder labeled "Hospice Care" as she talks to an elderly woman with a mask, sitting on a couch. The background shows large windows with a blurred view outside.

Whether your loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic illness or is naturally reaching the end of their life, what matters most is the quality of their final days, weeks and months. The goal of their care should be focused on limiting their pain, improving their comfort and increasing their overall wellness.

But when have you reached the point where you and other family members are no longer able to maintain their quality of life? There’s no grand schedule that tells you when your loved one needs hospice care. However, there are some common signs that can help you make the right call at the right time for your loved one’s well-being.

When is Hospice Care Needed?

The answer you probably want for this question is, “never”. In reality, though, your loved one can actually benefit from hospice care sooner than you think. This level of care can empower your loved one to live well and help both you and them enjoy the time they have left.

  1. Overall Decline in Health. One of the clearest signs your loved one may need hospice care is an overall decline in health. Maybe they have re-occurring infections, increased mental confusion or are constantly short of breath. Hospice care can help manage and monitor your loved one’s condition so they can live out their days more comfortably.
  2. Inability to Perform Daily Tasks. Can your loved one no longer maintain their personal hygiene? The primary focus of hospice care is to manage pain and troubling symptoms, but home health aides are also available to help with activities of daily living.
  3. Uncontrolled Pain, Even with Aggressive Treatments. If your loved one is suffering from a chronic illness, modern-day treatments can only do so much. These treatments may actually do more harm than good if they are causing your loved one more pain or taking up all their time and energy. Hospice care can be a better option, with ways to manage your loved one’s pain so they can focus more on their quality of life.
  4. Frequent Hospitalizations. Has your loved one become all too familiar with their local hospital and emergency room staff? Frequent hospitalizations are another sign that it may be time to consider hospice care. Hospice care services can provide the necessary medical care your loved one needs to reduce the amount of hospital and ER visits they have to make.
  5. Uncontrolled Symptoms. Constant nausea, vomiting, decreased alertness, loss of bowel control and other physical ailments are no way to live. These are conditions you, as a family member, shouldn’t have to try to manage for your loved one. Hospice caregivers are trained and experienced at caring for physical health problems like these, so you and your loved one can focus on being together and enjoying the time remaining.

Empower Your Loved One with Ethos Hospice Care

Your loved one deserves to live their life as fully as possible in their remaining days, weeks and months. You deserve to enjoy that time with them, too. At Ethos Care, we offer reliable and compassionate hospice care services that can give you and your loved one exactly what you need. From experienced home health aides, pain management and therapy to spiritual support and family education, we have a comprehensive hospice care program that prioritizes your family’s health and well-being.

Contact us today at 701-356-3803 to learn more about our hospice care services today.

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