A Model Hospice Inpatient Unit Specializing in Patients Living with Advanced Dementia

This report describes a pilot hospice inpatient unit dedicated to individuals experiencing distressing behaviors from dementia. Patients with dementia who experience distressing symptoms cannot be well managed on typical inpatient units. Hospice of the Valley selected one unit to dedicate to dementia care. Data were analyzed from 237 patients admitted to the unit between May 2019 and April 2020. Behaviors were identified and rated for severity on admission, discharge, and postdischarge. Rates of inpatient death and associated behaviors were calculated. Fifty percent of patients had their behaviors sufficiently managed to allow discharge. The most common behavior exhibited was agitation; the most common symptom leading to death was pain. An inpatient hospice unit dedicated to patients with dementia can be successful. The hospice agency gains admissions that would otherwise be diverted to behavioral care settings. This successful pilot may be a model for other hospices.