The following is a quick reference to see if Hospice Care is the answer.

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 in bed?

• fallen several times over the past six months?

• started needing help from others with: bathing, dressing, eating, cooking, getting out of bed, or walking?

• started feeling weaker or more tired?

• experienced weight loss so that clothes are noticeably looser?

• noticed a shortness of breath, even while resting?

• been told by a doctor that life expectancy is limited?

Adapted from NHPCO

If you answered “yes” to four or more of these questions, then you or your loved one could be eligible for hospice care. However, your situation may involve different factors and could indicate a need for hospice. Please call us if unsure and we’ll be glad to evaluate. HWC can help manage the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and support the needs of the family and caregivers as they deal with issues related to their loved one’s life-limiting illness.