The best time to learn about hospice is before you need it. At any time during a life-threatening illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient s healthcare options, including hospice. Comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus.
Curative treatment is no longer the patient s choice or option.
Hospice services are available to patients without regard to disease, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, or ability to pay. Physicians Discharge Planners Family Members Nursing Homes Friends Clergy Many referrals for hospice care are not made until the patient has uncontrolled symptoms and is near death. Although hospice care can do much to assist and provide care at this time, the patient and family can benefit much more from hospice services if referred earlier. Symptoms that might otherwise require a hospitalization or an emergency room visit can be successfully managed by the hospice team in the patient s home. The patient s and family s quality of life can be greatly enhanced by early intervention.