There is a growing misconception that hospice care is only for people who have very little time left in this world. While most hospice patients fall under that category, not all of them meet the same end. Some hospice patients do survive, and some even get better from their condition. The question is, what happens when the same thing happens to your loved one? We try to answer that in this guide.
How Long Do Hospice Patients Live?
While we cannot give a definitive answer on this, it’s not impossible that a hospice patient can survive. Many factors contribute to when a person lasts with a terminal illness, including the type of illness and its severity.
For example, if the patient has cancer, then they may have a limited life expectancy. This time can be further reduced if the patient is suffering from terminal cancer or rare forms of cancer. In that case, the patient may survive for a few weeks, months, or maybe even a couple of years.
But if a patient is suffering from a lingering illness like end-stage Parkinson’s, the patient may be able to live for a longer period. Parkinson’s disease is considered a non-terminal condition. However, it is a progressive illness, so even if the patient survives their natural lifespan, the struggle with the condition will not end.
It is difficult to say or give one a definite answer. However, a patient or your loved one may begin to thrive from the care that is given from the hospice team. Diseases like cancer, or CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) is different from that of Calorie Malnutrition. Each illness is treated differently, and one can have a limited life expectancy or may improve. Every person is different and the disease progress in the person has a lot to do with the life expectancy. That is why having the whole hospice team to not just aid in the patient’s comfort but also to support the family, friends and caregivers of the patient prepare for the passing of their loved one, as difficult as it is, support is always available by the hospice team.
What Happens If My Loved One Survives from Hospice?
If your loved one comes to a point where they begin to thrive or no longer declines, they may come to a point where they would no longer be eligible for hospice services. However, if in the future they begin to decline in health and their illness/disease become worse off, they may be re-admitted to hospice services.
Further, the hospice team will explain the process to discharge the patient from hospice and to give you options to find care through outside agencies to provide care if it is needed for your loved one.
Being Discharged from Hospice: What’s the Process?
The entire discharge process is handled with care, as it can be a very stressful time for the patient and their family.
Hospice companies have guidelines through Medicare and Medicaid on discharging a patient. However, we at Golden Rule Hospice will have the family and patient (if the patient has understanding) well prepared for the discharge and answered the many questions the family may have. We want to make sure everyone understands, and the patient’s well-being is important. Questions like medications, DME equipment, (beds, Oxygen, bedside tables) and care of their loved ones will all be answered well in advance of discharging them.
Our Social Workers can help point the families into the right direction when it comes to care of their loved ones and answer the who, what, why and where’s of their hearts and minds.
What’s the Next Step?
You don’t have to worry about the next step when it comes to your loved one being discharged from hospice. Rest easy in knowing that you have your loved one for longer than you thought. Make every moment of it count. Your questions were answered, the paperwork completed and your loved one will be cared for just in a different way. Remember, you can manage this. Remember, you can always call us with your questions and if your loved one begins to decline, they may qualify to be readmitted into hospice services, so keep our number close by.
Final Thoughts
Remember, that Golden Rule Hospice is here to serve you and your loved one and that we are here to support and guide you and your family by our philosophy and the entire hospice team.
Golden Rule Hospice lives by the philosophy of treating people the way you want to be treated. Living by that golden rule allows us to serve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all our patients. If you’re looking for the best hospice care in Atlanta, Golden Rule Hospice is the one to call. Contact us today at (470) 395-6567 to schedule a consultation. We are licensed throughout the state of Georgia, ranging from Gainesville to McDonough.
