Does someone in your community need hospice services? If you are unsure, ask yourself these seven questions. If you answer yes, you can make a referral on behalf of that individual and our team will take care of it the rest of the way.

1. Have you noticed a sudden decline in health?
2. Is the person in your community making frequent trips to the emergency room at the hospital?
3. Are they losing weight rapidly?
4. Is there a decline in physical and mental function?
5. Are they experiencing pain that can’t be relieved?
6. Are they having difficulty swallowing?
7. Has their illness caused medical conditions like increased infections?

The Benefits of Early Referrals
We often hear the regrets from our patients and families realizing they should have received hospice service sooner because of the excellent care and additional support they received. At anytime during a life-limiting illness, and especially before a medical crisis, it’s important to discuss with the patient all of the healthcare options, including hospice. Even though some physicians are hesitant to talk about hospice as an option, many patients are grateful and relieved to have their physician initiate that conversation and develop a plan of care that focuses on their goals.