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Who is appropriate for
Hospice Care?
Potential hospice patients may be identified by a diagnosis,
symptoms, or a combination of both. The guidelines below will
help determine if a patient is hospice appropriate.
Diagnoses that may qualify
- Malignancies (all forms of cancer, leukemia)
- End-Stage CHF (congestive heart failure)
- End-Stage Cardiovascular Disease
- End-Stage Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
- End-Stage Neurological Disease
- CVA (Cerebrovascular Disease)/Stroke
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
- Parkinson's Disease
- End-Stage Renal Disease
- End-Stage Liver Disease
- End-Stage HIV Infections/AIDS
- Chronic Debilitating Infections
- Multisystem Failure/Inanition/Malnutrition/Failure to Thrive
Signs and Symptoms to Look For
May include one, or a combination of the following:
- Progressive decline despite medical therapies
- Multiple hospitalizations/frequent ER visits
- Pain the is more difficult to control
- Diminished functional status
- Decreased appetite
- Progressive weight loss
- Increasing dyspnea (trouble breathing)
- Dysphasia (trouble swallowing)
- Oxygen dependency
- Acites (fluid in abdomen)
- Uncontrolled nausea/vomiting
- Recurrent infections
- Decline in mental status
- Increased weakness, fatigue, drowsiness
To refer a patient to the North Penn VNA Hospice Program, please
call our Hospice Nurse Manager at 215-855-8297, ext. 130.
Return to Physician page.
Return to Hospice Page.
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