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Families often ask the same question: 'How do we know it's time for hospice?' It's not always clear-cut, and it's rarely an easy answer. What's certain is that understanding the signs early can prevent rushed, stressful decisions later. At Pallatus, we've walked alongside countless families through this moment, and we've learned that readiness is about more than a doctor's prognosis; it's about recognizing when priorities shift from prolonging life to making life more comfortable.
Hospice care is about focusing on how someone lives each day, not how many days remain. For many, beginning sooner means more relief, better symptom control, and more time for meaningful moments.
You may notice:
Each of these can be a gentle signal that extra layers of support might now be more helpful than aggressive treatment.
Sit down with your loved one and ask:
When the goal becomes peace and ease rather than cure, hospice often becomes the right next step.
Having documents and decisions in place can remove a huge weight later: advance directives, a list of medications, recent test results. This preparation ensures care can begin smoothly when you decide it's time.
You don't need to decide alone. A conversation with a hospice nurse or care coordinator can help you understand what services are available, what costs are covered, and how quickly care can start. At Pallatus, we approach these talks without pressure, just honest answers and a willingness to listen.
