Let's Talk About It with Jenny White/ When is it time for Hospice?

If you're not sure whether you or your loved one might be eligible to receive hospice care, ask these questions: If your loved one been hospitalized or gone to ER several times in the past 6 months?; started taking medication to lessen physical pain? started spending most of the day in a chair or bed? fallen several times over the past 6 months? started feeling weaker or more tired? noticed a shortness of breath, even while resting?

Hospice provides specially trained professionals and volunteers such as: physicians, registered nurses, certified home health professionals, social work professionals, chaplain and bereavement counselors. They provide pain and symptom management; medication management, nurse on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Regular registered nurse visits, emotional and spiritual support, home medical equipment coordination, bereavement care for the patient's family for up to 13 months, arrangments for medical supplies, medications and equipment needed in the home.