Hospice for Cancer
Hospice Services Begin When Chemotherapy Stops
Once active cancer treatments have been exhausted, patients may choose hospice care for their remaining time, whether it's days, weeks, or months.
Hospice care is designed to meet the unique needs of cancer patients, offering compassionate support and focusing on maintaining quality of life during the final stages of the disease.
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Pain management and comfort care are critical during this stage. The healthcare team will work closely with the patient and their family to manage symptoms. and provide support/resources.
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Many families delay conversations about hospice care until cancer has advanced beyond the active treatment stage. However, bringing up the topic early during active treatment can help family members prepare for this possibility in advance.
It's important to note that the question isn’t "how long do cancer patients live in hospice," as hospice care is not a fixed place or treatment plan. Rather, it is a philosophy focused on improving the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.
Here are some signs it may be time to consider hospice care:
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The cancer has progressed to a point where treatments are no longer effective.
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The patient has chosen to discontinue treatment after a certain stage.
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The caregiving burden has become too overwhelming for family members to manage independently.​
Eligibility Requirements For Cancer Patients To Receive Hospice Care ​
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In oncology, the biggest predictor of hospice eligibility is the patient’s functional status, which is determined by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale or the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS).
Because specific prognosis varies from patient to patient, we suggest using these factors as general guidance.
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ECOG Score for Functional Status
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Using the ECOG scale, a median survival of three months roughly correlates with a score of >3. An ECOG score of 2 is generally supportive of being eligible for hospice services.
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0: Asymptomatic
1: Symptomatic but completely ambulatory
2: Symptomatic, <50% in bed during the day
3: Symptomatic, >50% in bed but not bedbound
4: Bedbound
5: Death
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Palliative Performance Scale for Functional Status
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Typically, a cancer patient who scores 70% or lower on the 'Palliative Performance Scale' (PPS) may be eligible for hospice. Typically, these patients:
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Are unable to carry on normal activity or do normal work
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Are unable to move or ambulate; spend more than 50% of their time in a bed, chair or a single room
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Exhibit evidence of significant disease
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Are able to provide only limited self-care
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Have reduced nutritional intake
When To Consider Hospice Care
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Hospice care organizations deliver services wherever the patient resides, which may include the patient's home, a family member’s home, or an assisted living facility. In some cases, hospice services can also be available in a nursing home or medical facility during a short hospital stay.
One of the key goals of hospice care is to ensure the patient is comfortable during the end-of-life stage, and allowing the patient to remain in a familiar environment can support this.
Hospice care providers make regular visits to the patient’s home, with different members of the care team scheduling visits on various days throughout the week.
Where Hospice Services Are Provided
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