An important decision you should make with the utmost care is determining whether to place your loved one in hospice care. However, you may be unsure when to start looking for hospice care facilities. There are several clues to look for in your loved one’s behavior that are telltale signs that they would benefit from hospice. Here are four signs that it may be time to consider hospice care.

Decline in Overall Health

The first sign that it might be time for hospice care is a decline in your loved one’s overall health. If your loved one’s health continues to decline even with medical treatment, then it’s time to look for a hospice care facility. There comes a time when it’s necessary to prioritize their quality of life over aggressive treatments. Once treatment is no longer benefitting their health, you should look for a facility where they’ll receive the best possible care to ensure their comfort and quality of life.

Frequent Hospitalizations

The next sign that it is time for hospice care is frequent hospitalizations. If your loved one is experiencing recurring infections, hospitalizations, or trips to the emergency room, it’s best to begin thinking about a transition to a hospice. These frequent trips to the hospital are another indication that the health of your loved one is declining. 

Decrease in Performance of Daily Tasks

A decrease in the performance of daily tasks is another indicator that it might be time for hospice care. You may begin to notice that your loved one struggles to complete everyday tasks, such as cleaning, bathing, getting dressed, or eating. If so, they may need a hospice care facility that can assist with all of these tasks. When your loved one reaches this stage, they can no longer perform their daily activities by themselves. Hospice care is a solution that will increase their quality of life and assist in completing everyday tasks, chores, and activities.

Increased Mental Confusion

An increase in mental confusion is also a sign that your loved one may be ready for the transition to hospice care. For example, you may notice that your loved one is confused about where they are, who they are with, what they’re doing, or what they’re talking about in conversation. It can be challenging to redirect your loved one’s mental process and help them understand what’s happening. This occurrence indicates that a hospice may be the best solution to care for your loved one.

Now that you know four signs that it may be time to consider hospice care, you should start looking into what type of hospice care facility is best for your loved one. Hospice care is a holistic solution that will significantly increase your loved one’s quality of life.