When is it Time for Hospice?

Deciding When It’s Time for Hospice

Hundreds of times each year, patients and families tell us: “We wish we’d entered Hospice sooner.” Patients and families can benefit most from Hospice care when they seek support earlier rather than in a crisis.

The best way to determine if you or your loved could be helped by Hospice of Lancaster County is to call us at 717-391-2421. There is no cost and calling does not commit you or your loved one to Hospice care. Perhaps there are other resources in the community that could be of help to you, and we will help to guide.

Will our doctor tell us when it’s time for Hospice?

Often times your physician is the first to mention the possibility of Hospice care. Not always, however. Some physicians hesitate to bring up Hospice because they sincerely want to preserve hope for a cure. Frequently, they will continue to pursue treatment because they think that’s what the patient and family want. In other cases, such as with congestive heart failure or lung disease (COPD), it may be difficult for them to predict the rate of a patient’s decline. When a doctor does mention Hospice care, he or she is simply presenting an option for comfort, which in many cases may actually lengthen life by increasing the quality of the time remaining. It is important that you and your doctor talk openly and share the same goals for maintaining quality of life.

What are some signs that a person may be ready for hospice care?

  • An increase in pain, nausea, breathing distress or other symptoms
  • Repeated hospitalizations or trips to the emergency room
  • Failure to “bounce back” after medical set-backs occur
  • Decrease in function requiring assistance for walking, eating, bathing, dressing and/or going to the toilet
  • Decreasing alertness – patient is emotionally withdrawn, sleeping more or having increased difficulty with comprehension
  • Significantly decreased appetite and weight loss

What types of illness are helped by Hospice?

Hospice care is beneficial for people of any age with any life-limiting illness. Many people mistakenly think that Hospice care is only for cancer patients. The leading causes of death in our community are lung, heart and kidney diseases, Alzheimer’s, other types of dementias, stroke, neuromuscular diseases, and many other illnesses, as well as the natural decline of old age, all of which can be helped by the comfort and support of Hospice.

When is someone “eligible” for hospice care?

At Hospice of Lancaster County, we care for anyone with months versus years to live, and support those who choose to continue receiving curative treatments. Anyone coping with a serious illness in our community may be eligible for care, regardless of financial resources, due to the generous community support that Hospice of Lancaster County receives.

What are some signs that our family could benefit from Hospice?

Caring for yourself as your loved one’s caregiver is one of the most important things you can do. Hospice of Lancaster County supports the family in conjunction with the patient. How do you know if you or your caregivers could benefit from Hospice care?
  • You or your caregivers are physically and/or emotionally exhausted from caring for you or your loved one
  • Your family is feeling isolated because of care-giving demands or the uncertainties you feel about your loved one’s future
  • You or members of your family appear to possibly need emotional support to cope with the sadness of the situation
  • You are overwhelmed by the myriad of physical, financial, emotional and spiritual concerns arising because of the illness

Can we call Hospice of Lancaster County even if we don’t think it’s “time?”

Absolutely. An important part of our mission is providing guidance to families about any end-of-life care issue, whether or not they’re in our program. You don’t need a physician referral to call us for information. If it appears that Hospice care would be beneficial, we will – with your permission – contact your doctor to discuss it. You can contact us at 717-295-3900 or by clicking here to email us.

Hospice of Lancaster County . 685 Good Drive . PO Box 4125 . Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 . 717-295-3900
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