The 5 Most Common Diagnosis In Hospice Care

One common misconception about palliative and hospice care is that the services only focus on the aged or elderly population. The medical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual benefits of LifeChoice Hospice & Palliative Care benefit a wide variety of individuals with different diagnoses and experiences.

The following list outlines the most common diagnoses in hospice care. Of course, there are many other diseases, illnesses, and conditions that could necessitate palliative care. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed recently, look for more information about how hospice can help you through this difficult time.

1 – Age-Related Dementia

Although hospice and palliative care services and step in for any age-related decline with a minimum life expectancy, advanced dementia, and specific diagnoses like Alzheimer’s disease are common. Not only does the individual become confused and lose mental functioning and memory abilities, but dementia can also take away their ability to feed themselves, bathe or get dressed, or even speak. It also carries physical issues like incontinence, extreme weight loss, and more that require skilled caregivers’ assistance more frequently.

2 – Cancer

Untreatable cancer involves many negative side effects and life-altering symptoms that the patient cannot handle well on their own. Although palliative care is available for people undergoing cancer treatment for lymphoma, leukemia, or other cancer types with remission expectations, late-stage IV cancer needs a different approach. Hospice steps in when treatment no longer works or the patient decides to stop it.

3 – Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke

Debilitating strokes, severe congestive heart failure, COPD, and other cardiopulmonary diseases are common causes for the need for hospice and palliative care and general. The care team can help with everything from daily living issues to end-of-life concerns. It is important for patients, family, and other loved ones who understand the process and make peace with it as time goes by.

4 – AIDS

The later stages of HIV infection occur when robust treatment no longer works sufficiently for a high quality of life. Tax the immune system and minimizes life expectancy considerably. Having a palliative care team in place can assist with weakness, extreme weight loss, wasting syndrome, and related infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.

5 – ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Although the least common on this list, ALS almost always requires hospice and palliative care at some point. Patients are usually diagnosed in their 50s and experience a progressive decline in involuntary control. While life expectancy may stretch to two years or more in some rare cases, palliative care is necessary for advanced stages for maximum well-being and comfort.

LifeChoice Hospice & Palliative Care understands how difficult these and other diagnoses are to the individual, family, friends, and other loved ones. The systems of care, education, and guidance put into place by this comprehensive service provider in Wheeling, IL can help innumerable families get through difficult times in the most comfortable way possible.