Making The Decision About Hospice Care
At any time during a life-limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all care and treatment options, including hospice. The physician or other health care provider may suggest hospice, or the patient may express weariness with the treatments, frequent hospitalization and poor quality of life.
Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping aggressive medical treatments. They may have questions or concerns about what to expect, including continued management of their symptoms or disease, identifying a Health Care Proxy, executing an Advanced Directive or Living Will, and even making funeral arrangements.
Companion Hospice staff members are sensitive to the stress and emotions surrounding end of life decisions and are experienced in dealing with these questions and concerns. Stopping aggressive treatments does not stop medical care, but changes the focus of care toward improving quality of life; sharing and celebrating remaining moments with loved ones.
Our staff can offer support and assistance to help patients and their families make informed decisions about their care.
Questions to ask may include:
Q:Are the treatments helping the disease?
Q:Is the patient being admitted to the hospital frequently for complications, infections or worsening symptoms?
Q:Is the patient losing weight and getting weaker in spite of medical treatments?
Q:Has the patient expressed "being tired" of the treatments, hospitalizations and "fighting" the disease?
Q:Has the patient expressed frustrations about the quality of his/her life and being ready for it to be over?
These may be indicators that the patient is ready to explore options and may be ready for hospice.
