A terminal illness may be something that surfaced and has progressed very quickly, or it may be something that you or your loved one has been dealing with for many years. While each type of illness is very different, and each person experiences illness differently, some signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for a discussion about Hospice services may include one or more of the following:

Pain that is more difficult to control
Increased weakness and fatigue
Decline in mental status
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Trouble breathing
Increased changes in medication
Difficulty completing daily tasks
Trouble swallowing
Fluid build up
Uncontrolled nausea/vomiting
Recurring infections
Frequent calls to your doctor
Multiple hospitalizations

The key to the decision is the desire to remain at home, avoiding rehospitalizations, while focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than cure.