medical professional writing notes

AboutWho is Eligible for Hospice?

Hospice eligibility criteria may vary; however, the following symptoms are common indicators that a patient may be eligible for hospice.

  • Unplanned weight loss
  • Excessive sleeping throughout the day
  • Multiple hospital visits/stays in the past six months
  • Excessive swelling of the legs and ankles, even when feet are propped up
  • Difficulty breathing, even at rest with increased oxygen levels
  • Weakness during activities of daily living
  • Frequent changes in medications
  • Pain that is poorly controlled
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Not “bouncing back” after an illness
  • Not responding to current treatments or therapy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Confusion
  • Wounds that are not healing
  • Loss of speech
  • Infections
  • Not sleeping through the night due to pain, shortness of breath, or other symptoms