Is Hospice the Answer for You or Your Loved One?

Many families are facing a serious, life-limiting illness for the first time. This can be overwhelming for both the patient and the entire family, especially if you don't know where to turn for answers and support.

If you're not sure what options are right for you and your family, this brief questionnaire may help.

Have you or your loved one:

• Been hospitalized or gone to the emergency room several times in the past six months?
• Been making more frequent phone calls to your physicians?
• Started taking medication to lessen physical pain?
• Started spending most of the day in a chair or bed?
• Fallen several times over the past six months?
• Started needing help from others with:
  • Bathing?
  • Dressing?
  • Eating?
  • Getting out of bed?
  • Walking?
• Started feeling weaker or more tired?
• Experienced weight loss, making clothes noticeably looser?
• Noticed a shortness of breath, even while resting?
• Been told by a doctor that life expectancy is limited?

If any of these questions apply, hospice care may be worth exploring for you and your loved ones. If hospice isn’t the answer at this time, it doesn’t mean you don't have other options and resources available to you. Contact your health care team to discuss the best next step for you and your family.

Kathy Schmiedeskamp is director of Home Health and Hospice at Mayo Clinic Health System in northwest Wisconsin.