The following factors are good indicators that it is time for hospitalization:
- The doctor has confirmed that the patient has six months or less to live if the condition/ disease.
- Progresses normally treatments (drugs, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, etc.) are no longer effective or cause side effects that prolong suffering, discomfort, and pain.
- The patient chose to forego testing, hospitalization, and treatment in favor of palliative care.
- The patient is increasingly unable to perform daily activities (personal hygiene, dressing, eating, maintaining continence, transferring)
- Within 4-6 months, the patient had one of the following:
- 10% or more weight loss
- More than 3 hospitalizations or emergency room visits
- Presence of other concomitant diseases Decreased physical activity.
- Decreased mental alertness/cognition.