My husband was kicked out of hospice for dying too slowly. Here's what I learned about navigating hospice care.

Key Points:

• Mike Salmon, after multiple serious health crises including aortic aneurysms and sepsis, was placed on hospice care, which focuses on comfort rather than curative treatment for patients expected to die within six months.
• Choosing a hospice agency requires careful research, as quality and services vary widely; Medicare's Care Compare and the National Hospice Locator can help identify top-rated providers.
• Some hospice patients experience health improvements due to better pain management and the comfort of being at home, as seen with Mike's regained strength and quality of life.
• Patients can be discharged from hospice if they stabilize or improve beyond the six-month terminal prognosis, which can cause significant challenges for families needing to quickly arrange alternative care and equipment.
• Families should document patient needs, keep doctors informed, appeal discharge decisions promptly, and know that reenrollment in hospice is possible if the patient’s condition worsens again.