Hospice Eligibility for Dementia

If you or your loved one has received a life-altering dementia diagnosis, you’re probably wondering when hospice care is necessary. Because dementia is typically a slow-progressing illness, knowing when it’s time to call hospice can be challenging. However, there are some common indicators that you can use to tell when it’s time to use a compassionate hospice provider like Orange Hospice.

Common Indicators That It’s Time For Hospice

hospice care for dimentia in buena park ca

While there are eligibility requirements like a prognosis, there are signs that suggest it’s time for hospice. These include:

Loss of control over bodily functions
Severe mobility issues
Limited verbal communication
Limited ability to maintain personal hygiene
Unable to dress without assistance
Incontinence of the bladder and bowel
Nutritional deficiencies, like the inability to sustain fluid and calorie intake
Refusing to eat or difficulty swallowing

Dementia can take years to progress, and sometimes additional complications can occur, which will prompt the need for more intensive care via hospice. Some common complications of progressive dementia include:

Recurrent fevers that persist even after antibiotic treatments
Bed sores, which indicate severe tissue damage
Lung infections caused by inhaling food into the lungs
Septicemia, which can spread throughout the body
Sudden changes in mental status caused by infections and other underlying health issues

All of these signs are a clear indicator that a dementia patient needs hospice care tailored to their unique physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

Hospice Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for hospice care under Medicare, specific criteria must be met. Firstly, the patient must have a prognosis with a life expectancy of six months or less. Then, the functional abilities and comorbidities of the patient are looked at. This is done using the functional assessment staging tool (FAST scale). Hospice providers use this tool to evaluate the patient’s cognitive, physical, and behavioral functions in areas like eating, communication, and the ability to carry out daily living activities and basic personal hygiene. A stage 7 and above score indicates that the patient is experiencing severe cognitive decline.

Common comorbid conditions that are known to accelerate the decline of dementia patients are:

Liver disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cancer
Kidney insufficiency

Compassionate and Supportive Hospice Care in Orange County

Choose a hospice provider that understands the symptoms of dementia and how to provide expert care, like Orange Hospice. Our friendly and compassionate care team is experienced in providing innovative care that gives each patient respect and dignity. To learn more about our dementia care, please contact our team at (741) 790-0594.

Weldon C.

20:28 18 Nov 24

The caregivers that assisted our family were always professional, and compassionate! This enabled my family member to live in our family home, witch kept his Independence and personal identity intact which meant a lot to him thank you thank you all

My Nurse Concierge Nursing S.

05:07 15 Nov 24

I've worked as a nurse for quite some time, and I'm a passionate home care nurse. I've worked for many different home health and hospice agencies, and one of my favorite agencies to work with is Orange Hospice. I truly admire their philosophy of reaching out to the community and listening to what people say about what they want for their care. Moreover, they do put their patients as a top priority, and I see the difference that they are making in other people's lives. I'm glad to have found a good agency to introduce to people who need hospice services.

18:07 14 Nov 24

Sung P.

05:25 14 Nov 24

"Exceptional Care and Compassionate Support!"Our family recently experienced the incredible support of Orange Hospice, and we couldn't be more grateful. From the very beginning, we were met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our loved one was comfortable and cared for with the utmost dignity.The nurses and care coordinators were always attentive, answering all our questions and providing updates with kindness and patience. They made sure not only that our family member was at ease but also that we, as a family, felt supported throughout the entire process.What stood out the most was the genuine compassion of the staff. They didn't just treat it as a job; they truly cared about our loved one's comfort and our family's well-being. The level of personalized care and emotional support we received was beyond our expectations.If you're looking for a hospice service that truly cares, I highly recommend Orange Hospice. They made a difficult time so much more bearable for our family, and for that, we are deeply thankful.

22:03 13 Nov 24

sook C.

22:30 12 Nov 24

I really liked Orange Hospice's services. My mother was well cared for by the staff, they were all very caring and compassionate to my mother and my family. Thank you so much especially to Natt and the rest of the team for the loving care you gave to my family.

Darlene F.

18:48 08 Nov 24

I positive .my Aunt would have never received the level of care that Orange Hospice has provided. I only need to text Nat and literally within hours I have whatever meds, weekly texts from.the urses in detail listing all her vitals, her conversation , her well.being alert etc. I.consider myself and our family extremely fortunate to.have been provided this level of care. Believe I have heard horror stories from my friends concerning their loved ones. My Aunt just celebrated her 96th birthday omOctober 18th. That would not have been possible withoutOrange Hospice. A shout out to Kathy for her detsiled weekly assessments . You have definitely extended her life. Thanks to all of you

Walker P.

05:14 08 Nov 24

This is an excellent hospice company. As a DON at one of the leading Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Orange County area I would 100 percent recommend this company. Always professional and on point. All nursing services are on point.

Nam P.

15:54 30 Oct 24

I can't express enough gratitude for the compassionate care my loved one received at Orange Hospice. The staff were incredibly attentive, providing not just medical support, but also emotional comfort during a very challenging time.Thank you

Maurice L.

00:14 23 Oct 24

Orange Hospice delivered exceptional service that truly exceeded our expectations. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support during a difficult time. Their team was consistently available whenever we needed assistance, ensuring that our family member received the highest level of care. We were particularly impressed by their compassionate approach and extensive knowledge, which provided us with comfort and confidence throughout the entire process. Thank you, Orange Hospice, for your remarkable dedication and support.

Sydney P.

23:24 22 Oct 24

Orange Hospice was a true blessing for our family as they cared for my grandmother with such tenderness and respect. The staff was attentive, patient, and always went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable and well-cared for. They also provided emotional support for our family during a very difficult time. The compassion and professionalism they showed made a huge difference, and we are forever grateful for their kindness. We couldn’t recommend Orange Hospice enough for anyone needing hospice care.

Maile F.

16:32 27 Aug 24

I am deeply grateful for the Orange Hospice team. The staff consistently went above and beyond to provide our whole family with comfort and care when we needed it most. The warm and compassionate environment offered our family much needed support during a difficult time and we will always be grateful for everything they did to help us during this time.