Hospice Care for Dementia: When Is It Time?

Most families with no prior exposure to hospice care may not know that a patient does not need to have to a terminal diagnosis to be qualified for hospice care in San Antonio Texas or elsewhere, for that matter.

Among the conditions that hospice care can be effective for include heart failure, COPD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, stroke, and dementia.

That said, while most chronic conditions can easily be evaluated and determined to whether hospice care is appropriate, it is a bit complicated for dementia because the stages of progression differ from one patient to the other. Moreover, the patient's inability to communicate can make it harder for them to express their needs.

Working with a provider of home health care in San Antonio Texas like us at Four Seasons Healthcare of Texas is vital. With their expertise, you and your family can make a better and more informed decision.

So, when is it time to seek hospice care on this case?

Here are some of the most common criteria used:

• Reisberg’s Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scale
  This is a tool used by medical professionals to follow the progression of dementia.
• Present comorbidities
  These refer to the other illnesses that a patient has aside from dementia during the time of diagnosis.
• When you feel the need to
  As any provider of senior care in San Antonio Texas would know, the family is in the best position to advocate for a hospice care evaluation.