Criteria for Hospice Care
The unpredictable nature of dementia's course leaves healthcare providers uncertain about when to refer a person with dementia for hospice care.
The following guidelines indicate hospice eligibility for the person with dementia:
- Life expectancy is six months or less if the disease runs its natural course.
- Unable to walk, bathe and dress independently.
- Speaks few intelligible words.
- Incontinent of bowel and bladder.
- Steady weight loss.
- One or more of the following has occurred in the past year:
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Kidney/urinary tract infection
- Recurring fever after antibiotics
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores)
Because the course of dementia is so unpredictable, a patient in the earlier stages of dementia (still walking and speaking well) who continues to lose weight despite caregiver efforts, may qualify for hospice. Other life-limiting conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, also may allow them to qualify. If you have questions regarding eligibility, please contact Hospice of the Valley: email or call 602.530.6900.
