Page 20 - Cannabis News Florida Sept 2021

Cover Story: Patients With Alzheimer’s/Dementia Can Age in Place With Hospice Care

Continued from page 1 healthcare transition in the last six months of life; 33% had four or more disruptive
transitions.
living communities, and more.

Aging-in-place hospice care includes a physician, nurse, and aide who oversee an Look for signs and symptoms of hospice eligibility
individualized care plan focused on managing symptoms and pain. The medical team
also provides caregiver education so that families feel confident caring for a loved one Hospice should be considered if a patient spends more than 50% of their time in
at home. A hospice social worker, chaplain, and bereavement specialist provide emo- bed, or if family members are considering ordering a hospital bed at home. Clinically,
tional and spiritual support to families and caregivers. patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia are eligible for hospice if these two factors are
The Medicare hospice benefit covers up to 100% of the costs of care related to a present:
patient’s Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis. It also delivers comfort-focused medications • Functional disability in three of six activities of daily living
and supplies, including hospital beds, bedside commodes, and over-bed tables, to the • Any one of these complications: pneumonia, pyelonephritis/urinary tract infec-
patient and family. tion, sepsis, febrile episode, difficulty eating or swallowing, poor nutritional status,
With nearly 70% of Americans saying they would prefer to die at home (2017 feeding tube decision, pressure sores, hip fracture, delirium at time of hospital dis-
Kaiser Family Foundation survey), hospice care for Alzheimer’s/dementia honors charge, or recurrent hospitalization for disease-related complications.
patients’ wishes and provides the resources their families and caregivers need to honor Clinicians can play an important role in decision-making by initiating advance care
those wishes. planning conversations with patients and their families with a few simple questions
early in the disease:
Hospice can have a profound impact • What do you understand about your loved one’s prognosis?
Studies show that hospice for Alzheimer’s/dementia patients leads to: • What does a good day look like?
• 50% reduction in hospitalizations; fewer care transitions near the end of life • What are your/your loved one’s preferences for care as the end of life approaches?
• Increased satisfaction with care • Are you interested in healthcare that meets those goals?
• Improved pain and symptom management At VITAS Healthcare, our hospice professionals are available 24/7 to facilitate
• Less depression/anxiety and improved overall health for patients’ families and patient-family discussions and to support consultations, admissions, and seamless
caregivers (Mitchell, S., et al. (2009); Shega, J., et al. (2008)) transitions to hospice care in a patient’s preferred setting. To refer a patient or for
Studies also show that hospice care can prevent costly, unnecessary, or unwanted information, call (800) 93-VITAS (available 24/7/365) or download the VITAS mobile
care transitions in a patient’s final months: fewer admissions to the emergency depart- referral app for interactive hospice eligibility guidelines.
ment, intensive care unit, or a skilled-care facility. A 2017 study (Wang, S., et al.)
found that 80% of Medicare beneficiaries 66 and older experienced at least one Dr. Ileana Leyva is regional medical director for VITAS® Healthcare,
the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care.

E-mail Your Editorial Submissions to editorial@southfloridahospitalnews.com

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