043 – How Hospice Helps at the End of Life, & Hospice for Alzheimer’s

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the basics of hospice care, with a special focus on hospice for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She covers:

• The difference — and relationship — between hospice and palliative care
• What kind of services and benefits you can get through hospice
• How hospice eligibility is determined by Medicare
• The difference between severe Alzheimer’s disease and “terminal” Alzheimer’s
• How to know when someone with Alzheimer’s might be eligible for hospice
• Why some people with dementia “recover” and may be discharged from hospice
• Common misconceptions people have about palliative care and hospice
• Why hospice is a good choice for most patients and families facing the end of life

Related episode: 

025 – Interview: Palliative Care to Live Well with Cancer

Related Resources:

• Hospice in Dementia, Medications, & What to Do If You’re Concerned
• Medicare.gov: How Hospice Works
• Medicare: Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Hospice – Determining Terminal Status
• How to Understand the Stages of Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias
• What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
• Advanced Dementia: A Guide for Families