| When
to contact Hospice
or make a referral |
The best time to begin thinking about hospice care is before you
need it. Too often referrals for hospice care are not made until the
patient is near death or has uncontrollable symptoms. While hospice
care is still extremely beneficial at that time, early intervention
is key to providing the best possible quality of life for our patients
and their families.
It is appropriate to refer
patients to Hospice when:
• The
patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness and/or a projected life
expectancy of six months or less.
• Curative treatment
is no longer an option or choice for the patient.
• The
patient's primary needs become comfort care and symptom management.
Anyone can make a referral
to Hospice, including:
• Physicians
• Social
Workers
• Discharge
Planners
• Nursing
Homes
• Patients
• Family
members
• Clergy
• Friends
Hospice services are available to patients and families regardless of
age, sex, disease, color, creed, national origin, or ability to pay.
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