Lots of families don’t want to move their elderly family member into hospice care too quickly. There’s a lot of misconceptions that hospice means that the end of a loved one’s life is definitely near. Hospice care can help a lot sooner, though.
Your Senior’s Been in the Hospital a Lot
Frequent hospitalizations, including emergency room visits, are a big indicator that your elderly family member’s health is worsening. There might not be hospital visits to point to, though. Some health issues mean that your senior is visiting her own doctor a lot more often. All of this can mean that she’s facing bigger health issues than before.
Your Senior Is Bedridden
If your elderly family member has been up and about at least a little bit, that’s probably been a positive sign for you and others who care about her. Spending a lot more time in bed, even to the point that she’s become bedridden, can be a sign that things are worsening for her. Your senior is at greater risk of significant health issues, including pressure sores, when she begins staying in bed for longer periods of time.
She’s Decided that Treatments Aren’t for Her
Very often older adults are willing to stick with treatments, even if they’re seeing intermittent results. But as your elderly family member starts to see fewer results or becomes more exhausted by trying to treat ailments, she may decide that she’s had enough. Quitting treatments, especially ones that are life-sustaining, is a big sign.
She’s Losing a Lot of Weight
When your elderly family member is healthy and is eating nutritious meals on a regular basis, her weight is more likely to remain consistent. If she’s losing a lot of weight suddenly, that means that something has changed dramatically. This could mean that she’s experiencing a downturn in her health that is significant.
Her Doctor Has Said it’s Time
This might sound overly simplified but talk to your senior’s doctor about when you’ll know it’s time. Depending on her health issues, there may be some very specific scenarios in which your senior’s doctor can let you know that her situation has worsened significantly. In most situations, if her doctor says that she has only a few months left, that’s definitely time to start putting plans together for hospice.
Ultimately, you’re going to assess your senior’s entire situation when it comes to deciding whether it’s time for hospice care yet. There’s a lot to consider in order to make a decision that feels good to everyone involved.
If you are or a loved one is considering hospice care in Tucker, GA, please call the caring staff at Arcturus Hospice and Palliative Care today. Call 678-383-9973 today to speak to our care team.
Kate Gorinshteyn is the director of marketing at Arcturus Health Care. Arcturus is a fast-growing Hospice striving to provide the highest level of quality care to patients faced with life-limiting illnesses. Our goal is to make each patient as pain-free as possible and give physiological, emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and family. We understand that the decision change from curative to comfort care is difficult, and our team is trained to help you every step of the way!
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
