Terminal care for noncancer patients.

The hospice approach to terminal care will benefit patients with advanced chronic illnesses other than cancer. This article describes general criteria that will help clinicians assess when patients may be appropriately referred for hospice care. Common illnesses, such as dementia, heart disease, lung disease, and renal failure for which terminal care in advanced stages is appropriate, are discussed. Specific palliative management issues regarding these advanced disease states also are addressed.