Deciding on Hospice and Signs of End-of-Life:
Making the call for hospice care can be a difficult and emotional decision. It’s important to recognize when it may be the right time for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or any seriously terminal illness.
*Disclaimer: Some of the information below may be emotionally challenging or sensitive, especially for readers experiencing grief or actively navigating end-of-life symptoms and decisions. The content provided is intended for informational and supportive purposes only and should not be considered medical or professional advice. Always consult healthcare providers, hospice specialists, or trusted professionals to discuss individual circumstances, care options, and personal decisions regarding hospice and end-of-life care.
Hospice care focuses on providing comfort, dignity, and support when someone is nearing the end of life, rather than pursuing curative treatments. Curative treatments such as feeding tubes, dialysis, invasive surgeries, artificial hydration, resuscitation (CPR), aggressive antibiotic treatments, implantable cardiac devices (e.g., pacemakers or defibrillators), and blood transfusions.
Here are some key signs that it might be time to consider hospice care:
1. Declining Health and Functionality
Progressive decline in abilities: If their body’s conditions are worsening and they can no longer manage basic daily tasks like eating, dressing, bathing, or using the bathroom, this could indicate the need for hospice care.
Increased difficulty with mobility: If they are having significant trouble walking or even sitting up, and are mostly bedridden or immobile.
Significant weight loss or difficulty eating/drinking: If they have lost a significant amount of weight, have difficulty swallowing, or are no longer eating or drinking enough, it may be a sign of the body shutting down.
2. Frequent Hospitalizations or Medical Complications
Recurrent hospital visits: If they are frequently hospitalized or require emergency care due to complications from their illness, this could indicate that the illness is nearing its end stages.
Increased need for medications or interventions: If they are no longer responding to treatment or medication, and medical interventions are no longer improving their condition.
3. Significant Cognitive or Behavioral Changes
Severe confusion or agitation: If Alzheimer’s or dementia symptoms have progressed to the point where they can no longer recognize family members, cannot communicate, or become severely agitated, it may be time to seek hospice care for comfort and support.
Increased sleepiness or lack of responsiveness: If they are sleeping more than usual, unresponsive to stimuli, or difficult to wake up, this could signal the body is preparing for the end of life.
4. *Physical Signs of End-of-Life
Labored or irregular breathing: If they are experiencing periods of rapid or irregular breathing, or have trouble breathing at all, this can be a sign that death is imminent.
Changes in skin color or temperature: If their skin turns pale or bluish, especially around the lips or extremities, or becomes cold to the touch, it can be a sign of decreased circulation and the body’s natural progression toward end-of-life.
Decreased blood pressure or heart rate: Hospice care providers are trained to identify and manage these physical symptoms, which can be signs of the body shutting down.
5. *Emotional and Psychological Signs
Withdrawal or detachment: If they begin to withdraw from their surroundings or family, or if they start to say things like, “I’m ready to go,” this indicates that they are emotionally and mentally preparing for the end of life, they are indeed ‘ready to go.’
Visited by people and animals who have passed before them: If they mention seeing or interacting with people and animals who you cannot see, this also indicates that they are emotionally and mentally preparing for the end of life. See information on DMT releases at the end of life: Article
*Desire to die at home: If they express a wish to stay at home rather than go to the hospital or a facility, most hospice services (but not all!, be selective in your search) can help make that possible by providing in-home care management and resources on how to schedule 24 hour care with other end-of-life services. This is important because of expectations of services that are offered but do not actually meet the needs.
6. *No Longer Seeking Curative Treatment
If all curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, and your loved one has made the decision to focus on comfort and quality of life, hospice care can provide a compassionate and dignified approach for life’s last transition.
What Does Hospice Care Provide?
Hospice care focuses on comfort rather than curing the illness. You can find more information our other blogs What to Ask When Hospice is Needed or Hospice and Death Doulas or Hospice Care and Palliative Care
Hospice Services typically include:
Pain and symptom management: Controlling discomfort from the disease or other conditions.
Respite and Resource for caregivers: Giving family members breaks from caregiving duties to take care of their own well-being.
Hospice care is not just for the absolute very end of life; it’s for when life expectancy is around six months or less, and the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments.
If you feel uncertain about whether hospice is the right step, you can consult with a doctor. They can help evaluate the situation and guide you through the decision-making process.
Ultimately, it’s about ensuring your loved ones comfort, dignity, and quality of life during their remaining time.
Let us encourage each other and create goals to have these discussions with our family and friends before the time comes when we have so many questions. Let’s talk about what we want our life’s last transition to look like and then let’s stick as close as when we can to those wishes.
