Caregivers often wonder, "When should we call the hospice?" There is no simple answer to that question; however, the following are questions to keep in mind to help make the best informed decisions for you and your loved ones.

When Should I Call The Hospice?

What changes have I seen in my loved one's health within the past year?
How do I expect the condition to change in the next year?
What am I most concerned about right now?
Am I feeling sad, exhausted, angry, isolated, guilty, anxious, or depressed because of the changes in our lives?
What decisions are we facing regarding treatments and/or medications.
How has our quality of life been affected by this illness or its treatment.
What changes have I noticed in the ability to get around and take care of daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating in the past six months?
How is pain or any other symptom affecting our quality of life?
Are we making more frequent trips to the emergency room of hospital?
What is truly important to the person whom I care for? To me? To other close to us?
What kinds of assistance might free up more time or energy to spend on on those things that are most important to us?
Who can I call when I have a question or concern in the middle of the night or during the weekend?
How are the responsibilities of caregiving affecting my daily life? My health?
What is our backup plan if something happens to me?