Gentle Support When Life Changes After a Stroke
A stroke can change a person’s life suddenly. Some people recover significant abilities, while others are left with lasting challenges that affect movement, communication, swallowing, memory, or independence.
When a stroke results in significant and ongoing decline and the focus of care shifts toward comfort and quality of life, hospice may be an appropriate option for some patients.
Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. provides compassionate hospice support for patients and families navigating serious illness and major changes following a stroke.
When Recovery Looks Different Than the Family Hoped
Stroke recovery is different for every person. Some people regain abilities with rehabilitation, while others continue to experience significant physical or cognitive challenges.
Hospice may be considered when a person has experienced a serious stroke and their overall condition indicates that they may be approaching the end of life.
A history of stroke alone does not determine hospice eligibility. An evaluation considers the person’s overall condition, functional ability, complications, nutritional status, prognosis, goals of care, and applicable hospice requirements.
If your loved one has experienced a significant decline following a stroke, their physician or a hospice team can help your family understand whether a hospice evaluation may be appropriate.
Changes That May Tell You Your Loved One Needs More Help
After a serious stroke, families may notice changes that affect a person’s ability to care for themselves or participate in everyday life.
Some changes worth discussing with a healthcare professional include:
These signs do not automatically establish hospice eligibility. They may indicate that it is time for a conversation with the patient’s healthcare provider about goals of care and whether hospice evaluation may be appropriate.
When a Stroke Leaves More Than Physical Changes Behind
A serious stroke can affect much more than movement.
A person may have difficulty speaking, understanding conversations, swallowing, eating, or recognizing how much assistance they now need. Family members may suddenly become caregivers while also adjusting to a very different daily routine.
Hospice can provide support for the patient and family when the patient is eligible and chooses hospice care.
The goal is to help coordinate care around comfort, dignity, and the patient’s individual needs and wishes.
A Team to Support the Patient and the People Who Love Them
Hospice care following a serious stroke can involve many different kinds of support.
Depending on the patient’s needs and plan of care, hospice may include:
Nursing Support and Care Coordination
RN case management helps monitor the patient’s condition, coordinate the hospice plan of care, and communicate with the interdisciplinary team and caregivers.
Physician and Medical Director Oversight
Hospice physician and medical director oversight helps guide the patient’s hospice plan of care in collaboration with the care team.
Personal Care Assistance
Hospice aides may provide support with activities of daily living and personal care according to the patient’s needs and plan of care.
Help With Practical and Family Concerns
Medical social workers can help families address emotional, social, and practical concerns that may arise after a major change in health.
Support for Spiritual Needs
Spiritual care can provide support according to the patient’s and family’s beliefs, values, traditions, and preferences.
Support Through Grief
Bereavement support helps families and caregivers navigate grief following the loss of a loved one, according to the hospice’s bereavement program.
Support Does Not Stop When the Office Closes
Questions and changes in condition can happen at any hour.
Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. provides 24/7 on-call hospice support for patients and caregivers, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
The on-call team can help address questions, changes in condition, and concerns that arise between scheduled visits.
Talk With Our Hospice TeamCare Can Be Provided in a Familiar Setting
Hospice does not necessarily require a patient to move somewhere else for care.
When appropriate, hospice services may be provided in:
Our team coordinates care with patients, families, caregivers, and facility staff as appropriate.
For someone recovering from or living with the lasting effects of a serious stroke, receiving hospice care in a familiar environment may provide an important sense of comfort and continuity.
Medications, Equipment, and Supplies Can Be Part of the Plan
Depending on the patient’s needs and individualized plan of care, hospice may coordinate medications, medical equipment, and supplies related to hospice care.
What Medicare May Cover After a Stroke
For people who qualify for the Medicare hospice benefit, Medicare Part A generally covers hospice care related to the terminal illness and related conditions when applicable Medicare hospice requirements are met and the patient elects hospice care.
Covered hospice services may include:
A previous stroke does not automatically qualify someone for Medicare hospice coverage. Eligibility depends on the patient’s overall condition and applicable hospice requirements.
Our team can help explain the evaluation and referral process and answer questions about hospice coverage.
You Do Not Have to Decide Everything Today
After a serious stroke, families can feel uncertain about what the future will look like. If your loved one’s condition has changed significantly, it is okay to ask questions before making decisions. A physician, family member, caregiver, or other appropriate referral source can contact Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. to discuss the patient’s needs and request a hospice evaluation.
For Physicians and Care Professionals
Physicians and healthcare professionals can contact Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. when they believe a patient experiencing significant decline following a stroke may benefit from a hospice evaluation. Our team can discuss the patient’s current condition, care needs, referral process, and appropriate next steps.
When Life Looks Different After a Stroke, Support Can Make a Difference
A serious stroke can affect the entire family. When recovery is limited or a person’s condition continues to decline, hospice may provide an additional layer of comfort-focused support. If you are wondering whether hospice may be appropriate, our team can explain the evaluation process and answer your questions.
Angel Palliative Care & Hospice, Inc. provides hospice support throughout San Mateo County, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and Marin County.
Address: 90 South Spruce Ave, Ste O, South San Francisco, CA 94066
Phone: 650-590-2530 | Email: info@apchbayarea.com
