Hospice Eligibility: Beyond Cancer – All Terminal Illnesses Qualify

Who Qualifies for Hospice?

Hospice is not limited to cancer patients. Eligibility requires:

• Physician certification of life expectancy ≤ 6 months if disease follows usual course
• Patient/family election of comfort‑focused care over curative treatment

Qualifying Diagnoses Include

• End‑stage heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
• Advanced dementia / neurodegenerative disorders
• ALS, Parkinson's, MS with functional decline
• Stroke with persistent vegetative/minimally conscious state
• HIV/AIDS with opportunistic complications
• Any terminal condition meeting prognostic criteria

Focus of Care

Symptom management, psychosocial/spiritual support, caregiver respite, and bereavement services—for patient and family alike.