Hospice for Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke)
Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death.
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A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. As the brain cells in that area are deprived of oxygen, they begin to die, resulting in the loss of functions controlled by that region of the brain, such as memory or muscle control. The impact of a stroke depends on the location and extent of brain tissue damage, as well as how quickly the patient receives treatment.
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Hospice care may be suitable for patients who are not recovering after a stroke. The hospice team focuses on providing comfort to the patient and support for the family.
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The goal of hospice care after a stroke is to ensure the patient remains comfortable and pain-free. The care team, including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and bereavement counselors, is available to support both the patient and their family. This care can be provided in the patient’s preferred setting, whether it’s at home, an assisted living facility, or an inpatient unit.
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All medications related to the patient’s primary condition, as well as medical equipment, are provided at no cost to the patient or their family. This may include items such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, incontinence pads, and bandages. St. Catherine's Healthcare will coordinate the delivery of medications and supplies as needed, eliminating the need for family members to make additional trips to the pharmacy.
Stroke hospice criteria:
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Palliative Performance Score or Karnofsky Score of 40% or less
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Mainly bed to chair bound
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Impaired functional status
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Requires assistance with activities of daily life (ADLs)
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Changes in orientation status
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Unable to maintain sufficient fluid and caloric intake
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Progressive weight loss
When to call Hospice.​​
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Knowing when to start the conversation can be challenging, but it's important to discuss hospice care early, even if the patient doesn't yet meet the cerebrovascular accident hospice criteria. St. Catherine's Healthcare is always available to provide a free consultation and offer guidance on how to approach this discussion.
If a patient is showing signs that meet some of the hospice care criteria following a stroke, please reach out to us at 832-328-8787 for a hospice consultation.
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Stroke hospice eligibility criteria:
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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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