When should someone consider hospice?

The option for hospice should be a serious consideration when a patient’s life expectancy is limited and they or their loved ones decide comfort and dignity are the ideal goals, though it is good to start the conversation before an illness reaches this stage. In terms of the patient’s wellbeing, Hospice is best considered when quality of life is lessened due to an ongoing state of care or treatment that is not projected to help the patient live any longer or more comfortably. The answer is different for each patient and their family, but in simplest terms, the option of hospice should be weighed when quality of life outweighs quantity of life.