When to Call

Call Hospice House and Support Care when...

There is a life-limiting disease and any one or more of the following applies:

• The patient is, for the most part, home-bound or bed-bound
• Home health care is either not available or not sufficient
• The patient can no longer stay home alone
• The patient or caregiver is anxious or depressed
• The patient or caregiver is exhausted
• A physician or nurse recommends Hospice House and Support Care

Any one of these indicators means that it’s time to call Hospice House and Support Care. It is never too soon to find out what help is available to you at this time or later.

What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?

Hospice and palliative care both focus on “palliation” that is, comfort.

Hospice care is typically elected by the patient who is no longer pursuing a cure for a terminal illness or condition.

Palliative care is usually sought by patients and their caregivers while hope for improvement or remission remains. The palliative care patient may or may not continue treatment aimed at cure.

What illnesses qualify for hospice or palliative support?

Cancer that has spread, with advanced disease process, weight loss, confusion, etc.

Congestive Heart Disease with severe fatigue, shortness of breath at rest, edema

Dementia when the patient is bed-bound and incapable of personal care with continuing weight loss and loss of meaningful speech

End Stage Immune Disorders

Chronic Lung Disease with shortness of breath at rest, oxygen dependence, frequent hospitalization

Neuro-Muscular Disorders such as ALS (“Lou Gehrig’s Disease”), advanced Parkinson’s disease or MS (multiple sclerosis) with rapid progression, loss of muscle use and weight loss

Multi-System Breakdown with primary organ failure due to conditions such as end-stage diabetes and end-stage kidney disease that require total care

Stroke resulting in coma, inability to swallow and continuing weight loss and need for total care

What if the patient wants to keep trying for a cure?

Hospice House and Support Care helps patients whether or not they continue to participate in active treatment for the illness or condition. It is up to the patient and physician to decide what is the best course of treatment.