Is It Time for Hospice or Palliative Care?
A guide for families navigating a hard question — and trying to make the right call for someone they love.
Signs It May Be Time
There's no single moment that tells you it's time. Usually it's a handful of changes, happening gradually, that start to add up. Below are some of the most common signs that palliative or hospice care could help. If a few of these feel familiar, it's worth having a conversation with a care specialist.
Physical Changes
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Frequent hospital stays or ER visits
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Unintentional weight loss or a noticeable drop in appetite
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Recurring infections
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Increased frailty or falling more often
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Sleeping most of the day
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Needing help with bathing or getting dressed
Day-to-Day Living
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Difficulty swallowing or eating safely
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Memory loss, safety concerns, or trouble communicating
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Needing full assistance with basic daily tasks
Medical Picture
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Treatments that once helped are no longer working
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Pain or breathing difficulties are getting harder to control
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The patient or family has decided to prioritize comfort over aggressive treatment