When to Consider Hospice or Palliative Care

You may want to discuss hospice or palliative care with your physician if any or all of the following are present in your loved one:

• Progressive declining health, despite treatment
• Increased or uncontrollable pain
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Repeat or multiple infections
• Progressive or profound weakness and fatigue
• Shortness of breath with or without oxygen
• Decreased ability to perform regular activities of daily living
• Alterations in mental status
• Exhausted patient and family or caregivers
• The desire of the patient and family to stop aggressive treatments