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If you or someone you know has symptoms of a life-limiting illness, give us a call for a free evaluation at 855-655-0500.
The following clinical signs often support hospice eligibility in combination with another primary diagnosis.
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Limited vocabulary or meaningful conversation
Unable to sit / stand without assistance
Needs assistance with bathing or dressing without assistance
Weight loss, infections, falls or ER visits
Comorbid / Secondary conditions
HEART DISEASE
Swelling leg and / or feet
Shortness of breath on exertion
Symptoms present even at rest
Ejection fraction 20% or less
Fatigue
Recent cardiac hospitalization, not transplant candidate
LIVER DISEASE
Swollen abdomen
Weight loss abnormal clotting
Fluid has to be drained from abdomen by physician
LUNG DISEASE
Shortness of breath at rest
Progressive weight loss
Must sit up straight to breathe
Chronic CO2 retention
Emergency room visits, hospitalizations, for infections, respiratory failure or distress
STROKE OR COMA
Unable to sit / stand without assistance
Unable to maintain weight
Needs assistance with bathing or dressing without assistance
Weight loss, infections, falls, ER visits
Comorbid / secondary conditions
NEUROLOGIC DISEASE: Chronic degenerative conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s, Muscular Dystrophy, Myasthenia Gravis or Multiple Sclerosis)
Critically impaired breathing capacity
Rapid disease progression with progression from:
Independent ambulation to wheelchair or bed-bound status
Normal to barely intelligible or unintelligible speech
Normal to pureed diet
Independence in most ADLs to needing major assistance in all ADLs
Critical nutritional impairment demonstrated by all of the following in the preceding 12 months:
Oral intake of nutrients/fluids insufficient to sustain life
Continuing weight loss
Dehydration or hypovolemia
Absence of artificial feeding methods OR Life-threatening complications in the past 12 months
Recurrent aspiration pneumonia,
pyelonephritis,
sepsis,
recurrent fever,
stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers
RENAL DISEASE
Patient not seeking dyalisis
Patient not a candidate for renal transplant
Swelling
Weakness / occasional confusion
CANCER
Not seeking treatment
Not taking chemo, radiation or oral chemo
HIV / AIDS
Weight loss
Not responding to treatment
Infections
No HIV treatment
Presence of other medical treatments
CD4 count <25 or persistent viral load > 100,000
AMYOTROPHIC LATERIAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)
Overall decline
Weight loss
Fatigue
***Other Terminal Illness
If the family member does not meet any of the above guidelines, the family member may still be eligible if there's a prognosis of less than 6 months
ie. Sepsis, Severe limb-threatening ischemia due to PVD
Timely and appropriate identification of hospice-eligible patients increases the likelihood that they and their families will benefit from compassionate, end-of-life care. By law, healthcare professionals must certify that patients meet guidelines to be eligible for a referral to a hospice provider.
Call Goldencare Hospice and Palliative Care at 855-655-0500 for a FREE ASSESSMENT.
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