Families of Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients often struggle to know when it is the appropriate time to call hospice for their loved one. Life expectancies of dementia patients can often be difficult to ascertain; symptoms tend to progress slowly and communication can sometimes be an issue; also people living with dementia can experience pain that they don’t express easily enough; palliative or hospice care specialists may offer insight and advice, but ultimately the decision should rest with family members and physicians when calling hospice for dementia patients.
Doctors usually consider hospice for anyone with a terminal diagnosis and prognosis of six months or less should their disease run its course naturally. Hospice also takes into account any health conditions, known as “comorbidities,” that a person living with dementia currently may have, such as heart disease, COPD or cancer; family members should remember to bring up such issues when speaking with the person’s physician.
As dementia nears its end, its sufferers will increasingly encounter difficulty with daily tasks like bathing, eating and getting around. By this stage, full-time care may be required and they may become susceptible to infections like pneumonia. They are likely at stage 7 or above on the Functional Assessment Staging Scale, meaning that they require assistance in all areas of daily living while being unable to communicate or comprehend what others say to them.
Hospice provides more than physical care; they also offer emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their loved ones. Hospice caregivers specialize in managing dementia-specific needs such as relieving mental and physical discomfort, socialization assistance, meal delivery services, medication administration and even laundry service.
Hospice provides families with tools that will allow them to discuss the end-of-life wishes and arrangements of a loved one before it is too late, relieving stress in making decisions during a crisis, while fulfilling all their wishes for their loved one’s comfort and dignity.
Admitting that it can be hard to watch a loved one slowly decline can be heartbreaking, so having the appropriate support system in place is critical. Our dementia advisers are here to guide you through this journey and provide all of the resources and information that may help. Reach out now for a consultation session!