The sacrament is appropriate for the elderly weakened by advanced age or suffering from chronic or long-term illnesses. The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person's condition becomes more serious or relapse occurs after recovery. For those who are in the end-of-life stage or Hospice care, family members should contact their parish priest immediately to have their loved one anointed as a priest may not be available on short notice prior to death.“The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age...Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, they may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and after they have received it, if the illness worsens.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1528, 1529)