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Hospice Care > Eligibility

Patients and families are eligible for hospice care as soon as a physician’s prognosis indicates the patient has a life-limiting illness. VNA Hospice programs and services are available to Indian River County residents of all ages with a limited life expectancy resulting from any illness.

Although it is never too late to seek hospice care, patients are encouraged to call VNA Hospice early in their diagnosis. The team can offer the most help when there is sufficient time to develop a relationship with the patient, caregiver and family.

In addition to patient-generated requests for services, VNA Hospice accepts referrals from patients’ physicians and other health care professionals, family members, friends, clergy and counselors. Patients considering entering hospice are offered a courtesy visit by VNA Hospice to help them determine if hospice is the appropriate option.

Hospice is a choice, and a patient may choose to withdraw from a plan of palliative care at any time and for any reason. Patients whose conditions improve or whose illnesses appear to be in remission will be discharged from hospice care and closely followed by the In Touch program. Patients may return to hospice any time they choose if they continue to meet the admission criteria.