Difficulty breathing

Frequent infections

Cancer Diagnosis

Increased edema (swelling)

Frequent hospitalizations

Uncontrolled or incresed pain

Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia)

Sudden or progressive weight loss

Progressive renal insuffiency

Patient and/or family having difficulty coping with terminal illness

Change in mental status (withdrawn, confused, bed bound)

Inability or unwillingness to take food by mouth

Decline in function, with increased need for assistance with ADL's

Increased disease symptomatolgy in non-cancer diagnosis; Increase in episodes of CHF in end stage cardiac patient, with decreased response to medical interventions

Patient and family request no further aggressive therapies