What Happens During a Hospice Evaluation
When a serious illness advances and treatments no longer seem to work, families often look for extra support. Understanding what a hospice evaluation can help guide your next steps.
A hospice evaluation is a professional assessment conducted by a care team to determine hospice eligibility and to establish a personalized care plan focused entirely on comfort and quality of life.
Many people wonder “what does a hospice evaluation consist of” when they first reach out to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care. After a referral form is submitted with basic patient details, the Crossroads team contacts you quickly to answer questions. They then coordinate a convenient time and place to visit the patient for a same day evaluation. This visit can take place wherever the patient currently resides, including a private home, an assisted living facility, or even a hospital room.
So, what happens during a hospice evaluation to determine if a patient qualifies? The care team:
- Meets with the patient and family to assess clinical eligibility requirements
- Checks for key medical indicators
- Evaluates specific signs of declining health
- Considers how the patient is coping from day to day and whether they have experienced frequent hospitalizations or emergency room visits in the past six months, frequency in falls, progressive weight loss, declining cognitive status, or frequent infections
- Assesses if the patient has a decreased ability to perform daily activities like eating, bathing, getting dressed, and using the bathroom
Beyond physical symptoms, the evaluation includes open communication about the patient medical history and current comfort needs. The team discusses goals of care, answers family concerns, and can ask questions to discover what brings the patient joy. This comprehensive visit ensures that if the patient is eligible, the Crossroads team can immediately begin coordinating visits from nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains to manage pain and provide emotional and spiritual support.
Keep in mind that the intent of hospice care is to help the patient and their family make the most of the time that remains.
If you are ready to request an assessment for a loved one, call Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care anytime at 855-327-4677 or complete the simple contact form.