Who Is Eligible For Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a service specifically for people suffering from a terminal illness or a low life expectancy. Establishments that provide these services care for the patients, ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible, both physically and emotionally.

Facts About Hospice Care

At Wagg Funeral Home, we like to keep clients informed about various topics, and we often get queries about hospices and the service they provide. Here are some facts that will provide more clarity on the subject:

• Patients with a life expectancy of fewer than six months can be admitted to a hospice.
   
• The patient needs to have a medical certificate provided by their physician stating their condition and details about their terminal illness.
   
• Most hospices require that the patient provide two certificates- one needs to be from their family doctor. The other certificate will be from the specialist treating their specific illness. A patient without these certificates from their doctors cannot apply to hospice.
   
• The hospice will review the application; verify the authenticity and validity of the certificates produced by the patient’s family. Once they find everything to be clear, they will confirm eligibility for admission to the hospice.
   
• Patients with a terminal illness need specialized treatment and medical attention. However, it is essential to note that a hospice does not aim to treat the condition. The staff and doctors will do everything within their power to ensure the patient is comfortable in their last days.
   
• You can opt for an in-home hospice service or at a centre, so that the patient gets the attention and care they need round the clock.

For any additional information, please call Wagg Funeral Home today, and our funeral director will be happy to help. We provide a wide range of services and can help preplan a funeral as well.