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Does Medicaid Cover Hospice Care For Dementia Patients?

It might be difficult to know when a patient with dementia is ready for hospice because of their slow decline. Patients at the hospice are usually given six months or less to live. A doctor can only make a clinical determination of life expectancy.

However, it's important to know Medicaid covers that hospice care for those given less than six months to live. Nursing, personal care, prescription medicines, and patient and family counseling are all part of hospice care. Read on if you're asking yourself, "does Medicaid hospice care for dementia?"

What To Know About Hospice Benefits For Dementia Patients

Individuals must file an election declaration with a specific hospice to receive the hospice benefit. They must admit that other Medicaid therapies for the cure or treatment of the terminal condition are not covered. Individuals may, however, cancel their hospice election at any time and resume receiving Medicaid-covered benefits that were previously waived when hospice was chosen.

A person must be certified by a physician as terminally ill, and hospice care must be reasonable and necessary to treat the terminal illness and any concurrent symptoms. Before services are offered, a hospice care plan must be prepared.

When Should You Call For Hospice Care?

It might be difficult to know when a patient with dementia is ready for hospice because of their slow decline. Patients at the hospice are usually given six months or less to live. 

A doctor can only make a clinical determination of life expectancy. Look for these typical symptoms that the condition has progressed to the point where everyone concerned would benefit from dementia hospice care:

  • The patient speaks only a few words.
  • The patient is unable to walk and maybe bedridden.
  • The patient is completely reliant on others for feeding, dressing, and grooming.
  • The patient has acute anxiety symptoms.

What Can Hospice Provide For A Dementia Patient?

Your hospice staff monitors dementia or Alzheimer's patient's condition and adjusts the treatment plan when symptoms and conditions change. It is the purpose of hospice to alleviate patients' physical and mental suffering to maintain their dignity and remain comfortable.

For dementia patients, hospice provides a wide range of care, including:

  • Personalized care plan
  • Patients' needs are met wherever they are.
  • Care coordination at all levels
  • Spiritual and emotional support

Dementia is a progressive disease without a cure, but it can be troubling, especially if your loved one only has a few weeks to live. Hospice patients normally have a six-month or less life expectancy. 

Thus, staying on top of the preparations can make a big difference. Doctors can only determine a patient's life expectancy because there is no cure for dementia. Still, it can be very troubling, especially if your loved one only has a few weeks left to live on clinical evidence. If you wish to learn more about Medicaid and its assistance towards dementia patients, read through our resources at Senior Strong today.

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William Rivers is an editor with a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling at Maine State University. He has more than 20 years of experience working in the senior healthcare industry.
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