“How long do they have?” is a complicated question that cancer patients and their families frequently ask their doctors.

With older adults, who comprise a more than half of cancer patients, physicians use a detailed assessment process of a person’s health status as it relates to the cancer diagnosis to calculate life expectancy.

According to Dr. Harvey Gilbert of the Gilbert Guide, there are several factors to consider in the assessment includes functional status, other illnesses, social support, medications and more.

Though the length of survival and quality of life depends on the type of cancer and the treatment, there are some factors that assist the physician in life expectancy discussions.

When my mother was sick, one thing we never asked was “how long?” because it was obvious that a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer wasn’t good, and I really didn’t want her to hear a prediction because I felt that she might behave and respond as if the time was a known fact.

If you did the assessment on her, she probably should have died before she was ever diagnosed. Though she worked full time and wasn’t frail, she also wasn’t the specimen of health and it was all smoking related.

Please don’t smoke.

I think not asking worked out for the best because she lived 3 years after diagnosis and statistically probably only should have lived about 9 months.

That’s a question that comes up a lot, often with seniors, and, their caregivers, who are facing a life changing situation such as the death of a spouse, or, a significant change in self-care abilities.

As a matter of fact, my dad considers the same thing off, and, on.

The always informative Gilbert Guide Blog tells us of things to consider when trying to decide if a senior should sell the house.

I especially like the way that it emphasizes that the decision has financial implications for both the present and the future.

I know I talk a lot about hospice care, but, I feel very strongly that everyone should know what hospice is, and, what they do.

The Gibert Guide Blog has a great article, called Hospice: The Interdisciplinary Team that explains what hospice is, and, how all the involved professionals assist patients with their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Hospice care can provide a wide variety of services, educate yourself about them in case you ever need them.

The always informative Gilbert Guide has an excellent article, 3 Big Misconceptions About Hospice.

It’s important reading, especially if you think you may be a decision maker for someone’s end of life issues. For example, did you know that you don’t have to have cancer to receive hospice care?

There are some things I learned when my mother was under hospice care. Even if you think someone may not be eligible, it’s always worth it to call and find out.

As always, I can’t say enough wonderful things about hospice services, everything good you’ve heard is true.

Go read the rest.

The Gilbert Guide publishes comprehensive information on long term care facilities and services in the United States.

Every facility, service, individual and organization listed in the guide is hand picked by their team through on-site reviews. They do not accept advertising from these facilities, in order to ensure an unbiased review and presentation.

The Gilbert Guide is published in print for the following territories: Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, East Bay, CA, Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX, and, New York City, NY. There is also an online subscription to the Gilbert Guide available.

The Gilbert Guide Blog is very informative, and, cover topics such as skilled care, assisted living, in-home care, and, other issues in senior care.

I sure wish I had known where to find this type of information when my mother had to stay in a nursing home for a while. We had to make a same day decision on her nursing home as her discharge from the hospital was a bit of a surprise.

My dad and I went to visit 5 different facilities in a day, and, none of those ended up having vacancies, so, we chose one sight unseen, but, it worked out OK.

Even though I’m a nurse, I had never had to do that type of thing before. If you think there is even a slight possibility that you will be making a nursing home, or, related care decision, I’m telling you: look into the facilities and services in your area, right now. Arrange for a tour (you can do that without telling anyone, it’s OK), look up reviews online, but, recognize that some sites are more authoritative than others, or, ask for recommendations from friends or healthcare providers.

I really suggest having some idea of what the nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day care, and, home health agencies in your area are like. Even if you feel that the expense of these services is prohibitive, or, if you are planning to care for your loved one at home, look into them anyway, because Medicare and insurance may cover some of them, and, there’s no way to know what the future has in store for you.