Final answer:
The hospice admission criteria include having a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less and the choice of comfort care over cure-oriented treatments. Hospice care offers the patient and their family emotional support, pain and symptom management, and assistance with end-of-life psychological, social, and spiritual concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The criteria that must be met to be admitted into hospice focus on care for terminally ill individuals when cure-oriented treatments are no longer viable. Hospice care emphasizes comfort and quality of life during the end stages of an illness, often in the home environment, surrounded by loved ones. Key admission criteria include a diagnosis of a terminal illness, a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its usual course, and the patient and family's choice for comfort care over treatment aimed at cure. Hospices provide emotional support for both the patient and their family members, help in managing pain and symptoms, and assistance with the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of dying.
The changing perspectives on end-of-life care highlight the importance of providing a dignified and pain-managed process, often led by specialized hospice doctors, nurses, and therapists. As hospices are increasingly enabling at-home care, they align with many individuals' preference to spend their final days in a comfortable and familiar setting, offering significant benefits to patients and their families. Research suggests that patients in hospice care may have a longer life expectancy and higher satisfaction, while families benefit from reduced caregiving burden and increased support.