Hospice

• Unplanned weight loss
• Excessive sleeping throughout the day
• Multiple hospital visits/stays in the past six months
• Excessive swelling of the legs and ankles, even when feet are propped up
• Difficulty breathing, even at least or with increased oxygen levels
• Weakness during activities of daily living
• Frequent changes in medications
• Pain that is poorly controlled
• Loss of interest in activities
• Not “bouncing back” after an illness
• Not responding to current treatments or therapy
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Wounds that aren’t healing
• Loss of speech
• Infections
• Trouble sleeping due to pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms

Home health

For illness, hospitalization or surgery that requires recovery and healing, getting quality care at home can be particularly beneficial. It can also be effective in dealing with a new health care diagnosis that requires a change in daily lifestyle. Here are some key indicators that may determine eligibility for home health care:

• Assistance required when walking
• A recent or scheduled surgery
• Frequent falls
• Changes in medications
• Multiple visits to the emergency department or admission to the hospital
• Unplanned weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Poorly controlled pain
• Assistance required for leaving the house
• Anxiety or psychosocial challenges due to immobility or changes in condition
• Daily wound care or treatments
• Multiple diseases or recent diagnosis that limit the ability to leave the home
• Require oxygen
• Nutritional or fluid assessment needs or management
• Infection that complicates the wound-healing process
• Advanced neurological disease
• Limits on physical mobility
• Chronic illness with periods of instability
• Need for assistance with IV medication for infection
• Need for tube feeding support