As the primary caregiver for a loved one, families will spend the most time with a patient, which means they have the best opportunity to spot changes in a hospice patient. Catching these changes early can help doctors make better decisions and improve the quality of the care provided. Here are two kinds of changes families should be looking for.  

Physical

Changes in a patient’s physical condition almost always warrants a conversation with someone on the hospice medical team. Common physical changes include:

• Increased Number of Falls
• Pain when moving or lying down
• Refusal or sudden inability to turn or move
• Skin changes such as sores, tears, bruises, rashes, itching, or a change in color
• Bladder or bowel functions
• Eating or drinking habits
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of sight or hearing

Mental

Changes in patient’s mental state can be just as important to note as physical changes, but they aren’t as easy to spot. Families need to be vigilant and watch out for:

• Increased sleeping during the day
• Difficult to wake from sleep
• Confusion about time, place, or people
• Restless (picking or pulling at the bed linen)
• Talking about things unconnected to the events or people present
• Increased anxiety, fear, or loneliness at night
• Suicidal thoughts or depression

A patient receiving end-of-life care via hospice and palliative care will likely go through lots of mental and physical changes, which makes it hard to know which changes need to be brought up with the nurses and doctors. When in doubt, it’s always best to let the hospice medical team know about changes. Having more information will only help them create a care plan that’s right for a patient’s unique needs.