When Is Hospice Care Appropriate?

When the hospice movement in the United States began nearly 30 years ago, it was viewed primarily as care for end-stage cancer patients. But the types of illnesses in patients served by hospice have evolved over the years along with the criteria for admission to our program.

Today, slightly fewer than half of our patients do have cancer, but we care for and have expertise in the care of patients with many life-limiting illnesses and conditions. In addition to cancer, this list includes:

  • Adult Failure to Thrive
  • AIDS
  • Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
  • ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease"
  • Cardiomyopathty
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Heart Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Renal or respiratory/pulmonary disease (end stage)
  • Stroke/CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident)


Any disease with a prognosis of 6 months or less, is qualified to receive Hospice services.