When to consider hospice care...
Anyone, regardless of age, with a limited life expectancy has hospice services available to them. One does not need to be homebound, or acutely ill to have access to hospice care.
When the time comes to consider hospice the following general guidelines may help with your decision:
- When the activities of daily living; such as dressing, feeding and bathing and/or experiences continual weight loss becomes dependent on others.
- When active treatment is no longer progressing.
- When there is at least 20 lb weight loss
- When pain, breathlessness, nausea or other symptoms are present.
- When family caregivers need support.
- When there is no longer a desire to eat
Keystone can provide much-needed support and assistance in managing pain and symptoms, especially when involvement comes early on in the journey. The frequency of visits and intensity of care will increase as the illness or disease advances.
How to pay for hospice
Any medications and medical equipment, are covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, are covered, easing the financial burden on families and loved ones. Hospice care is available to individuals with any life-limiting illness, including:
- Cancer
- Heart and lung diseases
- Dementia
- Liver disease
- Neurological diseases
- AIDS
- Parkinson's disease
- Alzheimer's disease
