Pulmonary disease is always present, especially in this new COVID-centered world. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a “chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow to the lungs” (Mayo Clinic). COPD damage is irreversible but the condition is treatable. With proper symptom management, people living with COPD can attain a good quality of life and reduce the risk of developing other associated conditions. COPD is the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States, affecting over 11 million people. Often those with pulmonary disease aren’t aware they have it until symptoms progress; and the early warning signs are often dismissed as a normal part of aging. How can you know when to refer to hospice or palliative care?
Palliative Referral
St. Anthony’s Palliative care is a great place to start when your loved one’s COPD is declining. We have a Nurse Practitioner, RN, and Social Worker who are an extra set of eyes and ears in the home to help manage symptoms and communicate with patient’s physician and/or specialist. Our Palliative Care team will visit in the patient’s home, cutting down on doctor and hospital visits.
If you or a loved one are in and out of the ER, hospital, or doctor’s office for exacerbation and can “bounce back” to their normal, this is your ideal palliative patient. This patient is having difficulty performing daily tasks, numerous hospitalizations in the last 6 months, and still wanting to seek treatment (and the treatment options are helping). This patient is needing help creating a care plan and needs more education on their disease. St. Anthony’s Palliative Care can help navigate the waters of COPD, all while receiving treatment.
Hospice Referral
When the patient’s condition declines and their physician expects they have 6 months left to live, the patient is eligible for the added benefits of hospice care. However, this does not mean the patient will only live for 6 months if on hospice care; only that the patient’s life expectancy is 6 months or less should the disease run its normal course.
Once admitted to hospice care, the patient is instantly surrounded by a team of experts who work together to care for the patient’s pain and symptoms and spiritual needs. Additionally, the patient and family receive much-needed emotional support.
If you or a loved one are in and out of the ER, hospital, or doctor’s office for exacerbation and are not able to “bounce back” to their normal, this is a hospice patient. These patients have dyspnea at rest, oxygen saturation ≤88% on room air, significant unintentional weight loss, and an overall decline. This patient is not responding to treatments, needs more education on their disease, and should the disease run it’s normal course, the patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
More information about hospice eligibility can be found here.
More information about palliative eligibility can be found here.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about St. Anthony’s Hospice or Palliative Care or make a referral, please contact us at (270) 826-2326 or make an online referral.
