Making the decision to seek hospice care is one of the most difficult choices a family can face. It often feels like “giving up,” but at Desert View Hospice, we believe it is actually about stepping up—stepping up the level of support, comfort, and dignity your loved one receives.
Many families wait until a crisis occurs to call for help, not realizing that hospice care is most effective when started early. The goal of hospice isn’t just to aid in the final days, but to improve the quality of life for months prior.
If you are caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness, you may be wondering: Is it time? Here are five common signs of physical decline that suggest an evaluation for hospice admission criteria might be the right next step.
1. Sleeping for Longer Periods
You may notice your loved one spending more time in bed or resting in a chair, often drowsing off during the day. As the body’s metabolism slows down, it has less energy to expend on staying awake. This is a natural part of the process, but it can be emotionally difficult for families who miss the engagement they once had. Hospice care teams can help families understand these changes and find meaningful ways to connect during alert periods.
2. Reduced Appetite and Weight Loss
One of the most distressing end of life symptoms for families to witness is a refusal to eat or drink. You might see your loved one pushing food away, saying they aren’t hungry, or losing a significant amount of weight despite your best efforts to feed them.
It is important to understand that as the body slows down, it can no longer process food and fluids as it once did. Force-feeding can actually cause more discomfort. Hospice experts can guide you on how to offer comfort without forcing intake, ensuring the patient remains physically comfortable.
3. Becoming Less Social and Interactive
Is your loved one withdrawing from conversations they used to enjoy? Are they speaking less, or seeming confused about time and place? This withdrawal is often due to a decrease in oxygen to the brain and a natural turning inward to conserve energy.
At Desert View Hospice, our approach addresses the “whole person.” We understand that while social interaction may decrease, the need for presence and love does not. We help families navigate this shift, ensuring the patient feels safe and surrounded by care even in silence.
4. Increased Physical Pain or Unmanaged Symptoms
If pain medication that used to work is no longer effective, or if you are struggling to keep your loved one comfortable at home, it is a clear sign that professional support is needed. Signs of physical decline often include increased discomfort that requires specialized medical management.
Our team specializes in palliative approaches that prioritize comfort above all else. No one should have to endure manageable pain, and bringing in hospice ensures that symptom management becomes a priority immediately.
5. Labored Breathing or Changes in Respiration
You may notice periods where breathing becomes shallow, rapid, or pauses completely for a few seconds (apnea). This can be frightening for caregivers. These respiratory changes are common as the body weakens, but they can be managed with the right medical support and oxygen therapy if needed.
Knowing When to Call Hospice
Seeing these signs doesn’t mean you have to face them alone. In fact, spotting these symptoms is your cue to ask for support.
At Desert View Hospice, we serve families in Victorville and the surrounding high desert areas with a philosophy rooted in “Life with Purpose and Dignity.” Our staff places the emphasis on the quality of life rather than the length.
If you recognize these signs in a loved one, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to start the conversation. You can contact us directly to discuss your situation. Calling sooner rather than later gives your family the gift of support, allowing you to focus on being a family again rather than just caregivers.
Do you have questions about hospice care? Contact Desert View Hospice today at 877-709-4247 or visit us online at DesertViewHospice.com to learn more about how we can help.
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