Stroke, or a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of death.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped. The oxygen-starved brain cells begin to die, causing an individual to lose the abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory or muscle control. The effects of a stroke will vary depending on the location, extent of the brain tissue affected, and the amount time that passes before the patient receives treatment.
Hospice care may be appropriate for patients who are not recovering after a CVA or stroke. The hospice team will focus on providing comfort care to the patient and support to the family.
There are specific requirements that should be met before a physician recommends hospice care after a stroke of cerebrovascular accident.
Cerebral vascular accident/stroke hospice eligibility criteria:
- Palliative Performance Score or Karnofsky Score of 40% or less
- Mainly bed to chair bound
- Impaired functional status
- Requires assistance with activities of daily life (ADLs)
- Changes in orientation status
- Unable to maintain sufficient fluid and caloric intake
- Progressive weight loss
Symptom management - hospice care after stroke.
The goal of hospice care after a stroke is to keep the patient comfortable and free from pain. Nurses and aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and bereavement counselors are available to support the patient and their family. This care can be provided in the location of patient’s choice including their home, an assisted living facility or an in-patient unit.
All medications related to the patient’s primary illness and medical equipment are provided at no cost to the patient or their family. This can include medical equipment like hospital beds and wheelchairs as well as medical supplies like incontinence pads and bandages. Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care will arrange to have medication and supplies delivered as needed, so family members do not need to make an extra trip to the pharmacy.
Our team of social workers, chaplains, and bereavement coordinators provide emotional support to the patient and their family. They can also connect patients to additional resources and support available in their community and provide assistance in end-of-life planning and funeral arrangements. Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care volunteers are also available to provide added companionship and emotional support to patients, giving family caregivers the opportunity to take a break.
For primary care physicians.
If you believe that your patient meets the stroke/cerebral vascular accident hospice care criteria, Crossroads Hospice is ready to help. We are available to admit new patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team of pain and symptom management experts works with you to make the transition into hospice as seamless as possible. And, Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care provides increasing levels of care to meet the patient’s needs. As the patient approaches their final hours of life, the Crossroads Evenmore Care program is activated to ensure our team is able to remain bedside to provide care and emotional support to the patient and their family throughout this final transition.
However, if the patient does not meet the hospice care criteria after a stroke, then palliative care may be a better option. Our palliative care team works with the primary care physicians to offer extra an extra set of eyes and ears right in the patient’s home. And primary care physicians are kept up-to-date on any changes happening with the patient. Ultimately, the goal of palliative care is to help the patient in avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and assisting the primary care physician and the family caregivers.
When to call hospice.
It can be difficult to know when to start, but it’s important to have the hospice conversation early, even if the patient does not currently meet the cerebrovascular accident hospice criteria. Crossroads Hospice is available at any time to provide a free consultation, as well as offer advice on how to best facilitate this conversation.
If a patient is experiencing some of the hospice care criteria following a stroke, please contact us at 1-888-564-3405 for a hospice consultation.