At any time during a life-limiting illness, it’s appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice. It is never too early to start planning for a time when you or a loved one will need the support of hospice. Patients typically bring up hospice services when a patient starts to show decline in daily aspects of living or having reoccurring trips to the Emergency Department or hospital due to their disease progress. Under Medicare guidelines, hospice care is available to patients whom the doctor believes, if the patient continues to follow the natural disease progression, have a prognosis of 6 months or less. Patients can make an educated decision that includes the advice and input of family members and loved ones.
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