Many hear the word Hospice and feel it is a challenging word. Yet, we hear it over and over again; “If only we would have known about hospice sooner.” Just remember talking about Hospice does not mean your loved one declines sooner; it means they have support and care much sooner and are provided the opportunity to live life to the fullest. 

What happens way too often is that people think hospice is only for the final hours or days, which it should not be. The hospice benefit can be for months, and the quality of life provided for the patient is why we hear the above statement. Too many people wait too late to benefit from all of the help we can offer you and your loved ones.

Many people think that choosing hospice is giving up on life when, in fact, it is taking a step to make sure that pain and symptoms are controlled and life is lived as you want it to be. Talk to you doctor about symptoms and a prognosis and don’t be afraid to talk about hospice as a part of your care plan. If you feel your loved one could benefit from Hospice, give Miller a call and we can do an in-home evaluation. We can also call your physician for you. You should not have to do this alone; we can help you. 

Here are some symptoms that your loved one may be facing that may lead to a discussion about hospice care: