One of the hardest decisions you will make for your loved one is knowing when to access hospice care. When you call hospice sooner it makes a meaningful difference for both patients and families. Lisa Teele, Paradigm’s Senior Vice President of Operations, says this decision can mean “more support, more comfort and better quality of life for the patient and for the family.”
What happens when you call hospice sooner?
1. Better comfort and symptom control
Hospice care focuses on managing pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea, and other distressing symptoms. The earlier hospice begins, the sooner comfort can be achieved and crises prevented.
2. More support for the whole family
Hospice cares for the patient and the family. Loved ones receive education, emotional support, respite care, and access to a nurse 24/7, so they are never alone or unsure of what to do.
3. Fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations
With hospice managing symptoms at home, families experience fewer stressful trips to the emergency room and fewer unwanted hospital stays. “When hospice is in place, families have someone to call before things become an emergency” explains Teele.
4. Time to build trust and relationships
Starting hospice earlier allows patients and families to build relationships with the care team — nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains — before things feel rushed or overwhelming. “Hospice works best when there’s time to build rapport,” Teele shares, based on her years of experience.
5. Care that matches the patient’s wishes
Hospice helps guide conversations about goals of care and ensures the patient’s wishes are honored. This puts the focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
6. Improved quality of life
Hospice is not about giving up. It is about living as well as possible for as long as possible, with expert care and fewer medical burdens.
7. Families feel more prepared and less overwhelmed
Early hospice involvement helps families understand what to expect, how to plan ahead, and to feel confident caring for their loved one.
Teele says that “calling late means families often miss out on weeks, or months” of the comfort and support that hospice offers. We believe patients and families deserve more. Teele beautifully articulates that hospice “means shifting the focus from curing to caring.”
Need help navigating this decision for your family or loved one? We’re always here to support you. Our phones are open 24/7 so give us a call at 317-735-6001 or fill out our contact form.
