Hospice is available to patients with any life-limiting conditions that no longer respond to curative treatment. Hospice may be appropriate for the situations listed below, as well as many others.
For patients with Alzheimer's disease, when:
- Swallowing becomes difficult.
- There is a loss of bowel and bladder control
- The patient is unable to speak, dress and feed him/herself.
- Weight loss continues.
For patients with heart disease/congestive heart failure, when:
- Fatigue is severe
- The patient has shortness of breath and/or chest pain when at rest.
- There is chronic fluid build up in chest and legs.
- Hospital stays occur often.
For patients with lung disease, when:
- There is poor control of symptoms.
- Shortness of breath becomes disabling.
- There is a dependency on oxygen.
- Hospital stays occur often.
For patients with cancer, when:
- The disease spreads to other organs (metastasis).
- Treatment no longer slows down the disease.
- Weight loss continues.
For stroke patients, when:
- Swallowing becomes difficult.
- There is a need for total care.
- The patient is in a coma or persistent vegetative state.
For patients with end-stage kidney disease, when:
- Fluid build-up in abdomen and legs becomes severe.
- Hospital stays occur often.
- Dialysis or transplant is not desired.
For patients with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), when:
- It is difficult for patient to take care of him/herself.
- Swallowing and breathing become difficult.
- Muscles begin to deteriorate or become stiff.
- Weight loss continues.
For patients with AIDS, when:
- It is difficult for patient to take care of him/herself.
- Medication no longer slows down the disease.
- Infections are increasing.
- Weight loss and weakness continue.
For patients with multi-system breakdown, when:
- There is multiple organ failure, such as heart disease and chronic lung disease.
- There is a continued decline in overall health.