Many families tell us the same thing after their loved one’s hospice care ends: “We wish we had called sooner.” Hospice is not only for the last few days of life. Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, a person can qualify when a doctor certifies a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Calling early gives your family more time to benefit from nursing visits, symptom control, equipment, and emotional support.
Here are signs that it may be time to ask about hospice.
1. Frequent Trips to the Hospital or ER
Repeated emergency visits or hospital stays for the same condition, such as heart failure, COPD, or complications of cancer, often mean the illness is progressing. Hospice nurses can manage many of these symptoms at home, and a nurse is available by phone 24/7.
2. Treatments Are No Longer Helping, or Are Too Hard
When chemotherapy, dialysis, or other treatments stop working, or their side effects outweigh the benefits, some patients decide to focus on comfort. That decision belongs to the patient and family, and a patient can leave hospice and return to curative treatment at any time.
3. Noticeable Decline at Home
- Sleeping much more and spending most of the day in bed or a chair
- Eating and drinking less, or unplanned weight loss
- Needing help with bathing, dressing, walking, or using the bathroom
- More falls, confusion, or shortness of breath
4. Pain or Symptoms That Are Hard to Control
Uncontrolled pain, breathlessness, nausea, or anxiety are reasons to call. Comfort is the core of hospice, and our team works with your loved one’s doctor and our medical director to adjust medications and care.
5. The Caregiver Is Exhausted
Family caregivers often carry the heaviest load. Hospice brings aides for personal care, social workers for planning and resources, chaplains, volunteers, short respite stays, and bereavement support after a death.
6. A Doctor Asks “Would You Be Surprised?”
If your loved one’s physician mentions hospice or palliative care, or says they would not be surprised if your loved one passed within the year, it is a good moment to have an informational conversation. Asking about hospice does not commit you to anything.
What Happens When You Call
When you call Maxcare Hospice, we listen, answer questions about eligibility and cost, and coordinate with your loved one’s doctor. For most patients, hospice is paid for by Medicare Part A, and Medi-Cal and many private plans also cover it. Care happens wherever your loved one lives: a house, apartment, board-and-care home, assisted living community, or skilled nursing facility in Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, and across Orange County.
Khi Nào Nên Gọi Hospice? (Tiếng Việt)
Nhiều gia đình người Việt ngần ngại nói về hospice vì nghĩ rằng đó là “bỏ cuộc”. Thật ra, hospice là chăm sóc giúp người bệnh được thoải mái, bớt đau, và có thêm thời gian bình an bên gia đình. Quý vị nên hỏi về hospice khi người thân:
- Phải vào bệnh viện hoặc phòng cấp cứu nhiều lần
- Điều trị không còn hiệu quả hoặc quá mệt mỏi
- Ăn uống ít, sụt cân, ngủ nhiều, cần giúp đỡ trong sinh hoạt hằng ngày
- Bị đau hoặc khó thở khó kiểm soát
- Người chăm sóc trong gia đình đã kiệt sức
Đối với hầu hết bệnh nhân, Medicare Phần A chi trả dịch vụ hospice. Maxcare Hospice có nhân viên nói tiếng Việt để giải thích rõ ràng cho cả gia đình. Xem thêm tại trang Chăm sóc Hospice bằng tiếng Việt hoặc gọi (714) 844-7777.
Talk With a Local, Family-Owned Hospice
Maxcare Hospice has been family-owned and serving Orange County since 2011. Call (714) 844-7777. Office Mon–Fri 9:00–5:30 · Nurses on call 24/7. You can also read our Hospice Care FAQ or contact us.
Helpful pages: Use our “Is it time?” checklist
