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1. Predicting Hospice Appropriateness for Alzheimer’s Patients
Gene W. Marsh, RN, PhD
Professor, Acute & Critical Care Nursing
University of Sheffield School of Nursing and Midwifery
Associate Professor
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Denver, Colorado USA
2. Purpose
The purpose of this study was to test an instrument for predicting the appropriateness of Hospice care for individuals with late stage dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
3. Research Problem Hospice organizations within the United States increasingly provide services to individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
The appropriateness of admitting individuals to Hospice services is determined partially by assessing the individual’s six-month survival prognosis.
Prognostic assessment parameters are less well defined in Alzheimer’s like dementia than in other illnesses. As a result, Hospice care and resources for individuals with late stage dementia of the Alzheimer’s type and their caregivers have been underutilized.
4. Research Questions To what extent is the Alzheimer’s - Hospice Placement Evaluation Scale (AHOPE) a reliable and valid predictor of the appropriateness of Hospice care for individuals with late stage dementia?
What additional variables and clinical indicators contribute to the precision of assessment for hospice eligibility of an individual with late stage dementia?
5. Research Design A descriptive, correlational design was utilized to test the predictive validity of the AHOPE scale and other variables.
Data Analysis
Descriptive
Reliability
Logistic Regression
6. Participants (N = 112)
7. AHOPE Scale Reliability (N = 116) Scale Mean 17.40
Item Mean 1.90
Scale S. D. 4.04
Inter-item Correlation .21
Cronbach’s Alpha .71
8. Logistic Regression Model Predictor Variables
Total AHOPE with weighted categorical score
Age
Gender
Hospitalizations in past year
Falls with injury in past 6 months
Fevers in past 2 months
Infections in past 6 months
Weight change since admission
Number of comorbid conditions
Future treatment plans
(p <.05)
(NS)
9. Logistic Regression ResultsAHOPE Weighted Categorical Score (N = 103)
10. Summary of Findings The best predictor of death within six months was the weighted categorical AHOPE Scale.
Weighted items: swallowing, fluid intake, weight change
Individuals with moderately high and high scores (scores > 22) were 13.22 and10.5 times more likely to die than survive within six months.
Demographic variables were not predictive of death.
Initial results showed promise. Future research is warranted to establish the predictive validity of the AHOPE at a clinically significant level .
11. Acknowledgements
Alzheimer’s Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter
Denver Area Hospices
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Center for Nursing Research and Department of Neurology
Denver, Colorado, USA
Helen Tarnecki, Hospice of Metro Denver
Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center; Sunset Manor; Aurora Care Center; Brighton Care Center; Iliff Care Center; Bear Creek Nursing Center
Colorado, USA