Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hospice and Medical Conditions
Although each of the diseases listed below has unique symptoms, hospice is available to any patient with a prognosis of six months or less. While every patient’s case is unique, some symptoms to look for are listed below.
- What are the signs that hospice is right for heart disease patients? One sign is that the patient has received optimal treatment for his/her disease and is not a candidate for further surgical or medical intervention, but there are others.
- What are the signs that hospice is right for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients? Two signs are if the patient can say only a few words, and has been through several years of decline.
- Why would an Alzheimer’s patient get hospice care? Hospice can provide additional comfort and relieve some of the burden for caregivers.
- What are the signs that hospice is right for ALS patients? Once the patient is bed-bound and has unintelligible speech, it may be time to consider hospice.
- What are the signs that hospice is right for cancer patients? Rapid weakening and ineffective treatment are two signs, and there are others.
- Can a patient receive chemotherapy and hospice services at the same time? It depends whether the chemotherapy is associated with cure or with comfort.
- What are the signs that hospice is right for Parkinson’s disease patients? They include continuous decline in function, coma, and others.