Qualifications for hospice.

What is it that qualifies a person for hospice care?

Below are a few of the factors that would qualify a person to begin hospice care.

1. Often the doctor of the hospice patient would begin the process but a secondary doctor is also brought in to certify that the hospice patient has a terminal illness with a planned life expectancy of six months or less.
2. This person would need to accept that they are choosing care meant to create comfort rather than curative care.
3. This person or their medical power of attorney would sign a hospice benefit election to start the process.

People may decide it’s time to consider hospice care when, despite current treatments, there is a significant decline in their physical or cognitive state.
Some examples may include:
1. Constant or uncontrolled pain
2. Considerable weight loss <BMI 22kg/m2
3. Difficulty in breathing of <30% of normal
4. Extreme fatigue or weakness

It’s never easy to make tough decisions at the end-of-life phase but sometimes they are the right decision to make.