Who can receive Hospice?
Hospice is for anyone with a life-limiting illness.
Hospice care is an option for people who have a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less, and have chosen to focus on comfort care over curative treatments. The focus of care shifts from treating the disease to treating the patient – managing pain and symptoms – to provide comfort and a quality of life.
Diagnoses commonly associated with hospice care include these and other terminal diseases:
- Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia
- Cancer
- Heart Disease /CHF
- Stroke / CVA
- Lung Disease / COPD
- Kidney Disease / ESRD
- Liver Disease
- Neurologic Diseases (such as ALS, Parkinson’s, Muscular Dystrophy, Myasthenia Gravis or Multiple Sclerosis)
Our VNA Health Hospice Team works with the patient and family to develop a plan of care specific to their disease and individual needs. Eligibility criteria includes frequent hospitalizations, progressive weight loss, deteriorating mental abilities, frequent infections, and/or an overall decline in condition.
Hospice is for families too.
A life-limiting illness affects everyone, and loss of any kind is never easy. Bereavement counselors are part of the VNA Health Hospice Care team and are available to help your family cope through individual or family counseling, support groups, and resources. VNA Health Bereavement Services is available at no cost to anyone in the community facing or grieving a loss.
For more information, simply call a VNA Health Hospice Care Manager anytime at 805.965.5555.
