Dementia and Alzheimers Referral Hospice Guidelines

Referral Guidelines

Plus either: 

1. Disease Related Complications such as:
   a. Aspiration pneumonia
   b. Pyelonephritis or upper urinary tract infection
   c. Septicemia
   d. Decubitus ulcers, multiple, stage 3-4
   e. Fever recurrent after antibiotics
   f. Difficulty swallowing or refusal to eat
   g. If receiving artificial nutritional support (NG or G-tube, TPN), patient must be exhibiting continued weight loss despite the feedings
   h. Protein calorie malnutrition:
   i. Weight loss over 11% or
   ii. BMI<18 or
   iii. Albumin <3.1

Or 

2. Significant Comorbidity such as:
   a. Heart Failure
   b. Advanced Cancer
   c. COPD

If the patient does not meet above guidelines but is still thought to be appropriate for hospice (e.g., has comorbidities, recent rapid decline), please call for an assessment.

Arkansas Hospice now offers Telehealth support for patients and their families in nursing homes, inpatient centers, and their homes.

CLICK HERE for patient enrollment information

*SOURCES:

• Sclan, S. G., & Reisberg, B. (1992). Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) in Alzheimer’s disease: Reliability, validity, and ordinality. International Psychogeriatrics, 1992 (4), Supplement 1:55-69.