What exactly is Hospice care? And what can I expect from Hospice care?

Dm, Hospice doesn't HELP you die, they keep you comfortable until you DO die. We just went through this with my mom. We had heard of a really good private hospice organization here in Oregon, and chose them. They also bill Medicare just like the hospital/state run ones do, so Dad didn't have to worry about that. Mom died 3 weeks ago at home, but having hospice and their visiting nurse made a huge difference. She became the 'middle-man' of sorts between us and mom's doctor. Whatever drug mom needed to stay pain-free and comfortable, she would order from mom's doctor, we never had to do it. All the medical equipment we needed, the nurse ordered for us, and she made sure she came by once a week or more if needed. What made the difference for us using hospice, was the visiting nurse. She was wonderful. Whenever my sister sent her a text message, she would always respond quickly which we appreciated so much. She was so kind and gentle with mom, and never treated the family like interlopers. If you decide on hospice, check around for the one that people are willing to vouch for. And then, when you get started with them if you don't mesh with the visiting nurse, don't be afraid to ask for someone else. Not all nurses are created equal we found out.

Hospice does not "help" people to die. Assisted death is against the law in the US except in Oregon. You have to go to Europe to do that. Hospice care is about providing a safe, responsible environment for terminal patients who do not want any cures or extraordinary measures taken to prolong life. It can be in-home hospice or at a facility. Think care & comfort and not cures. It is about symptom management and pain control not curing the disease.

My MIL just went into hospice on Monday. She was in the hospital recovering from another broken hip and it's related surgery. She has other health related issues also. The turning point for her was that she would not swallow and her vital organs are not responding to the meds. Her MD felt hospice was best and her son's were all in agreement. They are a pretty realistic bunch.Probably a week or so for her at her rate of decline.

Her hospice is it's own free-standing facility with it's own staff. She is on "pallative" care - she is given pain medication to make her more comfortable but
no medications to "cure" her and no extraordinary measures are to be done. Her room is small with a monitor. It seems they check in on her about every 3 hrs. Last night the night nurse called to give the day's update. Very kind and caring.

As SS said, hospice care will require you to sign an DNR and some have other advance directives (AD) required. For at home hospice the DNR is needed so that if EMS is called, the EMS doesn't start things that could "cure" . Also you will need to have on file the funeral home contact information. If you haven't done those things, you will need to within short order.

Medicare rules allow & pay for hospice for 90 cycles. You get two 90 days cycles per the MD's diagnosis. After those 2 periods, there is a 60 day waiver that can be refiled. The hospice should explain all this to you. Hospice is considered a "hospital related stay" for Medicare Part A payment. In order to be considered for hospice, the disease needs to be terminal with 6 months or less life expectancy. Coma patients usually don't qualify for hospice as it's is not designed for their care level they would go to a long term care facility not hospice.

All the caregivers need to go thru the hospice for Medicare to pay. VITAS and
Compassus are 2 of the bigger hospice groups in the US. They both have websites with info on what hospice is.

For home based hospice, Medicare will pay for short-term stay in a hospice facility "respite care" so the person who is a home with the hospice patient gets a few days "off". If you decide on home hospice, this is an important thing to do to keep from you having caregiver burn-out.

None of this is easy. The real ? is do you accept that you do not want any cures or extraordinary measures taken for your dad and that he is terminal.Good luck.

Hi, six months ago my Mom's doctor recommended hospice and I am happy with the help I have gotten. I had been caring for her myself and with the trained nurses and nurse's aids, she has been able to stay at home and is better off. I have been less stressed too. It took some getting used to in the beginning, though. Different people coming in, etc. But I found out that they were all really nice and care about my Mom's health.
They want you to sign a DNR and that scared me, but it can be revoked if you want to at any time. My Mom's dr is a young woman dr, so maybe the old school doctors don't know that hospice is covered by medicare, and can provide in home help for as long as it is needed. I sound like I work for hospice. but I'm just a regular caregiver who intends to let my Mom stay in her home.

I am 76 and my health is failing.I have been caregiver for my husband for 18 yrs.He is 78.18 yrs ago he was given 6 mo to live.His health is worsening and I feel I am exp burnout.Our Dr suggested Hospice.I dread leaving him alone.Am afraid he will fall as he has done several times.Will hospice help us? All the posts I read are referring to children caring for an elderly parent not about an elderly spouse caring for an elderly spouse.