Hospice care is often referred to as end of life care. It is one of the few exceptions where Medicare can help pay for care in the home. Typically, hospice is designed for patients that have terminal illness and a doctor’s assessment that the patient has less than six months to live. The main difference between nursing home care and hospice care is that hospice care does not focus on curing or healing, only comfort care.
It is often very difficult for a doctor to estimate the when the last stage of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s has been reached. Because of this, the National Hospice Organization and Medicare has developed guidelines to help determine when hospice care is appropriate to cover.
If you have a loved one at home with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease that you are caring for, it is very important to look into the possibility of hospice care early. Starting hospice care does not mean that you are giving up on your loved one, and sometimes the extra help will allow patients to overcome immediate health concerns. Some patients do so well they are able to withdraw from hospice.
Talk with your loved ones doctor about hospice care, and consult with an experienced elder law attorney to help guide you through the hospice care process.
