Hospice criteria and reimbursement

I was conversing with a reader about options for eldercare, and, we touched on hospice.

Did you know that hospice care is not limited to patients with cancer? Though many patients do have cancer, hospice care is available to patients with a limited life expectancy, often 6 months or less. For example, my husband’s grandmother was cared for by the hospice team until her death from emphysema.

Please note also, that hospice admission requires a physician referral, and, some patients are under hospice care for longer than 6 months.

Medicare and insurance may cover a hospice stay, it’s worth looking into, even if you think your loved one doesn’t qualify, or, can’t afford it. Hospice companies usually employ a case manager or a social worker who can help you with these issues.

I’m not familiar with the process outside the United States, anyone care to chime in?

There’s help available out there, ask the people who know, there’s no harm in checking it out.

Also, Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying is a wonderful book that deals with the process of dying. Though I hope you don’t need it anytime soon, but, if you do, get it now.