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When is hospice the right choice?7/22/2025  Hospice is always a difficult decision, even if it is the right one. Hospice has a specific medical definition—care that focuses on comfort, quality of life, and dignity when facing a life-limiting illness, and curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. Studies show that people live longer and with better quality of life if they start hospice care sooner, but when to choose hospice is a very personal decision for the patient, their caregiver(s), and family. The following is some information that may help. Consult the physician. When the doctor believes the patient has six months or less to live if the disease follows its normal course, it is a general guideline, not a time limit. Hospice care can continue beyond six months if needed, and the patient may even move in and out of hospice if their condition improves without curative treatment. Hospitalizations or ER visits have become too stressful. Repeated trips to the hospital, especially for the same symptoms, indicate declining stability that puts increasing stress on the patient and family. Care that focuses on the patient’s comfort may help them remain at home, with less stress and anxiety. Physical condition is in constant decline. Chronic Pain, progressive weight loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty walking, eating, or speaking may be better managed in hospice care. Patient wants to stop curative treatments. When the patient has exhausted aggressive treatment options and is changing focus to finding peace, comfort, spirituality, and time with loved ones, hospice care will help the patient and family through the end of life and bereavement process. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? We have helped thousands of patients “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. We suggest you learn more about our home health care services, including our dedicated team of hospice professionals, who can help to guide you. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call the VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148.  Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org. Comments are closed.
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