daily living challenges hospice

Knowing when it’s time for you or a loved one to consider hospice can be difficult and, for many, overwhelming. But knowing what some key signs to look out for will help remove some of the anxiety during this period and allow yourself or a loved one to live out their days with dignity and compassionate care at Orange Hospice.

Treatment is No Longer Working

Receiving a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months is the basic eligibility requirement for hospice. Beyond that, you’ll also know it’s time for hospice when terminal illnesses begin worsening despite ongoing treatment, and treatment is now bringing more discomfort than relief.

When Drawbacks Outweigh Benefits

Sometimes, treatments that once offered hope begin to cause more harm than good. Side effects may increase pain, nausea, or fatigue, leaving patients with little energy to enjoy meaningful time with their loved ones. When the burdens of treatment outweigh the benefits, it may be time to shift the focus to comfort and quality of life through hospice care.

Symptoms are Harder To Manage

Increased and uncontrolled pain is a clear sign that you or your loved one is ready for hospice care. Pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life. Hospice care can help. This type of compassionate care focuses on symptom management to ensure patients are comfortable.

Frequent Doctor and Hospital Visits

While it is common for people to visit doctors and emergency departments more frequently as they age, multiple visits within the last six months can be an indicator that curative treatments are no longer effective. Hospice care will reduce the number of unnecessary visits and focus on providing hands-on, comprehensive care wherever the patient calls home.

Increased Mental Decline

Conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and others can affect a person’s memory and make communication very difficult. Often, this results in confusion, restlessness, anger, and agitation, which can be difficult for a patient’s loved ones to handle. The inability to communicate can cause patients to withdraw from activities and the people they love, which is hard to watch.

At Orange Hospice, we provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones during this challenging time of adjustment.

Self-Care Activities are Becoming Difficult

It’s time to consider hospice when you or a loved one is unable to carry out daily living activities like using the bathroom, bathing, dressing, and feeding oneself. This can have a significant impact on a patient’s mental health, and hospice can step in to provide assistance to family caregivers and ensure the patient’s dignity.

Dependence on ADLs

Eligibility may also be indicated when someone becomes dependent on 2–3 out of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating. This growing dependence signals the need for additional care and support.

Other Key Signs

Increased Falls and Injuries. Frequent falls or accidents that result in injury can signal a decline in overall health and strength. Hospice care can help by providing additional support and ensuring safety within the home.
Significant Weight Loss. Unintentional weight loss of 10% or more within six months is another sign that the body is weakening and that additional care may be necessary. Hospice focuses on maximizing comfort and supporting nutritional needs.
Deciding to Focus on Quality of Life. Some people will choose hospice when they want to prioritize quality of life over aggressive treatments with side effects that can leave them in more discomfort. Choosing hospice care means they’re prioritizing comfort and peace while allowing themselves more time to focus on spending time with their loved ones.

Compassionate and Hands-On Hospice Care in Orange County

Choose a hospice that understands that this transition into the end-of-life journey can be overwhelming and is there to support you every step of the way. Choose Orange Hospice.

We are committed to treating each patient and their loved ones with care that is respectful and dignified. Contact our team today at (714) 790-0594 to learn more about how we can help you and your loved one.

Weldon C.

20:28 18 Nov 24

The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all

My Nurse Concierge Nursing S.

05:07 15 Nov 24

I've worked as a nurse for quite some time, and I'm a passionate home care nurse. I've worked for many different home health and hospice agencies, and one of my favorite agencies to work with is Orange Hospice. I truly admire their philosophy of reaching out to the community and listening to what people say about what they want for their care. Moreover, they do put their patients as a top priority, and I see the difference that they are making in other people's lives. I'm glad to have found a good agency to introduce to people who need hospice services.

18:07 14 Nov 24

Sung P.

05:25 14 Nov 24

"Exceptional Care and Compassionate Support!"Our family recently experienced the incredible support of Orange Hospice, and we couldn't be more grateful. From the very beginning, we were met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our loved one was comfortable and cared for with the utmost dignity.The nurses and care coordinators were always attentive, answering all our questions and providing updates with kindness and patience. They made sure not only that our family member was at ease but also that we, as a family, felt supported throughout the entire process.What stood out the most was the genuine compassion of the staff. They didn't just treat it as a job; they truly cared about our loved one's comfort and our family's well-being. The level of personalized care and emotional support we received was beyond our expectations.If you're looking for a hospice service that truly cares, I highly recommend Orange Hospice. They made a difficult time so much more bearable for our family, and for that, we are deeply thankful.

22:03 13 Nov 24

sook C.

22:30 12 Nov 24

I really liked Orange Hospice's services. My mother was well cared for by the staff, they were all very caring and compassionate to my mother and my family. Thank you so much especially to Natt and the rest of the team for the loving care you gave to my family.

Darlene F.

18:48 08 Nov 24

I positive .my Aunt would have never received the level of care that Orange Hospice has provided. I only need to text Nat and literally within hours I have whatever meds, weekly texts from.the urses in detail listing all her vitals, her conversation , her well.being alert etc. I.consider myself and our family extremely fortunate to.have been provided this level of care. Believe I have heard horror stories from my friends concerning their loved ones. My Aunt just celebrated her 96th birthday omOctober 18th. That would not have been possible withoutOrange Hospice. A shout out to Kathy for her detsiled weekly assessments . You have definitely extended her life. Thanks to all of you

Walker P.

05:14 08 Nov 24

This is an excellent hospice company. As a DON at one of the leading Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Orange County area I would 100 percent recommend this company. Always professional and on point. All nursing services are on point.

Nam P.

15:54 30 Oct 24

I can't express enough gratitude for the compassionate care my loved one received at Orange Hospice. The staff were incredibly attentive, providing not just medical support, but also emotional comfort during a very challenging time.Thank you

Maurice L.

00:14 23 Oct 24

Orange Hospice delivered exceptional service that truly exceeded our expectations. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support during a difficult time. Their team was consistently available whenever we needed assistance, ensuring that our family member received the highest level of care. We were particularly impressed by their compassionate approach and extensive knowledge, which provided us with comfort and confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you, Orange Hospice, for your remarkable dedication and support.

Sydney P.

23:24 22 Oct 24

Orange Hospice was a true blessing for our family as they cared for my grandmother with such tenderness and respect. The staff was attentive, patient, and always went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable and well-cared for. They also provided emotional support for our family during a very difficult time. The compassion and professionalism they showed made a huge difference, and we are forever grateful for their kindness. We couldn’t recommend Orange Hospice enough for anyone needing hospice care.

Maile F.

16:32 27 Aug 24

I am deeply grateful for the Orange Hospice team. The staff consistently went above and beyond to provide our whole family with comfort and care when we needed it most. The warm and compassionate environment offered our family much needed support during a difficult time and we will always be grateful for everything they did to help us during this time.

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Signs It May Be Time to Consider Hospice