Who Is Eligible For Hospice Care?

People with serious, life-threatening illnesses need consistent care and comfort. Some are completely reliant on their caretakers for everything from bathing to eating. Hospice care is a program that helps ensure patients with terminal illnesses are comfortable and at peace. At Gallagher Funeral Home, we have seen many people avoid hospice care because they don’t want to give up curative treatments but sometimes moving to a hospice is the best choice for the patient.

Who Is Eligible For Hospice Care?

The eligibility criteria for hospice care varies from one region to another. You should consult local organizations to get the most accurate information. Here’s a look at some of the most common factors organizations consider:

• The patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness and medical professionals agree that life expectancy is less than six months.
   
• They have been hospitalized frequently in the last six months.
   
• Patients fall and injure themselves frequently.
   
• They are unable to perform Activities of Daily Living or ADLs like bathing, eating, dressing, etc.
   
• Their mental and cognitive abilities have declined considerably.
   
• Patients suffer from frequent infections.
   
• There’s rapid and uncontrolled weight loss.
   
• There’s a serious decline in the patient’s general health.

Most hospice organizations require a confirmed terminal prognosis from two different medical professionals to accept a patient. The most common illnesses that require hospice care include cancers, AIDS, dementia, renal disease, neurological conditions, stroke, cardiopulmonary disease, and liver disease.

Consult with your loved one’s medical care provider and determine whether hospice care is the right choice for your loved one. Sometimes curative care can make patients miserable and compromise their quality of life. If the patient is facing a terminal diagnosis, it is better to ensure they lead a comfortable life for the rest of their days.

If you need help on funeral-related matters or want to know more about our services here at Gallagher Funeral Home, contact us or give us a call at (318) 640-1375 today.