Admission Criteria for Live Alone Patients

Definitions:

  Live Alone Patient:

An individual who is independent and is accustomed to living alone.  The patient wishes to remain

independent for as long as possible and meets the criteria for admission to the Hospice of Central New

York.

Primary Care Person:

An individual who typically has daily contact with the patient and is actively involved in the patient’s care.

The primary care person will participate in planning for the patient’s care with Hospice staff.

 

IDG:

An Interdisciplinary Group (includes as indicated: Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain, Dietary Counselor,

Bereavement staff, Home Health Aide, Volunteer, Hospice Medical Physicians, Attending Physician, and

patient/family).

Each of the following criteria must be met prior to admission to the Hospice program:

  1. A pre-assessment meeting is conducted with patient, his/her support system and admissions staff to review Hospice policy and procedures.
  2. The patient has a home environment conducive to providing safe care as assessed by the Hospice IDG team.
  3. The patient must be initially self-directed and have capacity to make decisions.
  4. The patient agrees to be contacted as needed by phone for support, by the Hospice IDG, when determined to be appropriate.
  5. If the patient does not have a POA, the patient will appoint a durable power of attorney for the   purpose of access to finances if this becomes necessary.
  6. If the patient does not have a HCP, the patient will appoint a Health Care Proxy and the agent will be willing to work with Hospice in the event that the Proxy is invoked.
  7. The patient agrees to have a personal emergency response system (ie. Lifeline) and to develop a procedure which would allow Hospice personnel entry into pts residence if pt. unable to open the door.
  8. The patient is willing to plan for care when he/she can no longer be alone and agrees to either alternative living arrangements (e.g. nursing home, Francis House, home of another), or private hiring/scheduling of 24-hour/day care. ***
  9. The patient is willing to accept recommendations of Hospice staff as to when additional help or alternative living arrangements are needed.
  10. The patient agrees with the criteria and signs the Live Alone Consent form.

 

*** If the patient chooses to private hire 24 hour/day care, there will need to be a backup plan of care    for a shift that is not covered and there needs to be a primary care person willing to coordinate care when the patient is no longer able.