Conditions

HOSPICE CARE FOR ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA

End-of-Life Care and Support Services for Patients Suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Dementia is a general term for loss and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia followed by vascular dementia, however, there are  over 400 different types of Dementias.

Patients will be considered to be in the terminal stage of dementia (life expectancy of six months or less) if they meet the following criteria.

• Stage seven or beyond according to the Functional Assessment Staging Scale;
• Unable to ambulate without assistance;
• Unable to dress without assistance;
• Unable to bathe without assistance;
• Urinary and fecal incontinence, intermittent or constant;
• No consistently meaningful verbal communication: stereotypical phrases only or the ability to speak is limited to six or fewer intelligible words.

In addition, patient should have had one of the following within the previous 12 months:

• Aspiration pneumonia;
• Pyelonephritis;
• Septicemia;
• Decubitus ulcers, multiple, stage 3-4;
• Fever, recurrent after antibiotics;
• Inability to maintain sufficient fluid and calorie intake with 10% weight loss during the previous six months or serum albumin < 2.5 gm/dl.

Note: The above description is specific for Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders, and is not appropriate for other types of dementia.

If you are reading this, it is likely you or someone you love has been waging a difficult physical and emotional battle against Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Heart of Hope Hospice is ready to assist those in the end stages of dementia, by relieving pain, controlling symptoms, improving quality of life and reducing anxiety and worry for patients’ families.

Heart of Hope Hospice meets the unique needs of patients with dementia who wish to remain wherever they live: in their home, assisted living or independent living facilities as well in skilled nursing facilities.

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When to call Heart of Hope Hospice for Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Considering the slow decline of a patient with dementia, it can be difficult to determine when the time is right for hospice. In general, hospice patients are thought to have six months or less to live. Only a doctor can make a clinical determination of life expectancy.

Making decisions about end-of-life care is difficult for patients stricken with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive impairments. The ever-changing roller coaster of emotions and feelings of uncertainty, as well as the complexity of care and support options available, makes it challenging to choose the best course of action for you and your family. The good news is that quality hospice care and palliative care services are available through Heart of Hope Hospice. We offer comprehensive symptom management along with end-of-life care that patients with cognitive impairment and their families need

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When is it time to discuss hospice care for a patient with Dementia?

Hospice care for dementia patients is often described as an approach that treats the patient, not the disease. The goal of hospice is to make the patient as comfortable, safe and as symptom free as possible.  At Heart of Hope Hospice we recognize the courage it takes to help a loved one who is suffering from a chronic illness like Alzheimer’s or dementia. We also understand the physical and emotional stress it places on you to care for this loved one.

Heart of Hope Hospice provides comprehensive hospice care and support services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our compassionate, experienced and well-trained interdisciplinary team of hospice nurses, home health aides, homemakers, hospice social workers, therapists, bereavement counselors, spiritual counselors and volunteers. Heart of Hope Hospice always put patients and families first and strives to make every interaction with you and your loved one more meaningful.

Heart of Hope Hospice recognizes the emotional toll and immense courage it takes to help a loved one who is suffering from a chronic illness like Alzheimer’s disease.

Call Heart of Hope Hospice today to see if hospice care is an appropriate option.

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Benefits of Heart of Hope Hospice Care for Dementia Patients

The Heart of Hope Hospice team continuously evaluates the patient’s condition and symptoms with the goal of finding the best treatment and individualized plan of care for the patient as well as support for the patient’s family. The goal of Heart of Hope Hospice is to treat pain and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia and relieve the physical and emotional stress to ensure the greatest level of comfort for our patients and their families.

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The benefits of Heart of Hope Hospice Care for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients include:

Pain Management – Patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia  often experience pain caused by the progression of the disease and are unable to voice the pain level. Heart of Hope Hospice Team provides comfort care which focuses on relieving pain and maintaining comfort.

Symptom Control – Heart of Hope Hospice Care Team regularly assesses each patient’s condition and works with the physician to determine the most effective treatment and medication options to maximize symptom control.

Hospice Care at Home –  The goal of hospice care is to support patients by meeting their needs and managing their care at home – wherever they may call home, using a holistic approach that includes hospice massages and emotional and spiritual approaches.

Coordinated Care Approach – Hospice care is a team effort. The patient’s family and loved ones are actively involved together with a team of Heart of Hope Hospice professionals. With the help and support of the hospice care team, the patient and their family can attain physical, emotional, and spiritual preparedness for the end of life

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