Hospice Eligibility
The choice to begin hospice care for a loved one
is a difficult and emotional decision.
Families and patients that are ready to choose hospice have made the decision to focus on comfort, ending the long-term efforts to resolve the underlying disease.
What are some signs that my loved one may quality for hospice?
Trips to the hospital become more frequent
There is noticeable weight loss
Infections become recurrent
There is a recognizable change in mental ability
A decline in your loved one’s specific condition
Does my loved ones’ primary physician determine eligibility?
Because of the familiarity with their patient’s declining medical condition over time, they can more accurately determine a prognosis of six months or less. A secondary determination by a hospice medical director or nurse with hospice training is required to determine eligibility.
What if we don’t have a primary physician?
In many cases, a specialist with long-term familiarity of their patient’s medical condition will suffice. If there is no single doctor that has enough medical history to make the determination, families may request a one-time visit with the Capstone medical team to determine eligibility.