Dementia Caregivers and Live Discharge from Hospice: What Happens When Hospice Leaves?
- PMID: 27997295
- DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2016.1272075
Dementia Caregivers and Live Discharge from Hospice: What Happens When Hospice Leaves?
Abstract
Hospice offers holistic support for individuals living with terminal illness and their caregivers. Some individuals receiving hospice services experience a slower decline in health as than expected, resulting in a 'live discharge' from hospice. A live discharge affects both patient and caregiver(s).The current study (N=24) explored the experiences of caregivers of adults with dementia who experienced a live discharge from hospice. Findings emphasize the comprehensive services covered under the Medicare Hospice benefit and those lost after a live discharge. Implications for social workers supporting caregivers are discussed, including the need to view the patient-caregiver unit during a live discharge.
Keywords: Caregiving; dementia; hospice care/palliative care; live discharge.
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical