Hospice care focuses on alleviating pain and managing symptoms so the patient remains comfortable and able to enjoy time with family and friends. It also deals with the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families.

Hospice care can be delivered in the patient's home, in an assisted living or nursing facility or in a special hospice residence.

When is it time to consider hospice?
Following are some signs that it might be time to consider discussing hospice care with the patient's physician or caregivers.

• A gradual decline in the patient's level of functioning is observed.
• Increasing visits to the emergency room, hospital or doctor's office.
• The disease is progressing or spreading.
• The condition is life-limiting and a cure is not possible.
• Patient needs help with two or more activities of daily living.
• Patient's level of functioning declines in spite of therapy.
• Patient loses interest in eating or may have stopped eating completely. Unintentional weight loss continues.
• Patient has end-stage dementia and is no longer ambulating and/or eating.
• Patient voices a desire for comfort care.
• Family or caregivers desire help with end-of-life issues.
• Care is becoming more difficult to manage.