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I guess I do not know what Hospice Care is or what it consists of and would appreciate someone filling me in.

I always thought Hospice Care was for terminally ill people close to death who were being kept comfortable until their passing.

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Hospice is for those who have an illness that is expected to result in death within 6 months or less. As long as the patient continues to decline they are able to remain on hospice care. It is paid for by medicare and some insurance companies. When selecting a health insurance plan it is important to check that this is offered. Hospice will pay for all medications related to the terminal illness but not other co existing conditions. For example a patient admitted with terminal cancer who is also a diabetic will not get their diabetic supplies covered. equipment such as beds and oxygen are also supplied by hospice at no cost to the patient.
If you think someone may need hospice in the future you can contact your local hospice and they will explain everything to you. the PCP has to approve the admission but anyone can make the initial recommendation and hospice will come and make an assessment free of charge.
Because someone is still able to pull weeds it does not mean they are not ready for hospice. for example if they have untreatable cancer or maybe stopped chemo because of the side effects they can still be admitted and enjoy the services. proper pain and symptom management. Volunteers to visit and take them to Dr visits. A dietition to suggest helpful food choices. Sometimes an individual hospice will have a volunteer hairdresser or someone to give a massage. visits from the chaplain occupational and physical therapy and in general all the suport a caregiver and patient needs. it is never too early for hospice let the experts decide appearances can be decieving.
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In general, yes. Hospice care provides 'palliative" care, rather than ongoing therapeutic care. The goal is to keep someone, close to dying, comfortable, and assist the family through the transition. Generally, your primary doctor has to recommend it. A quick Google search for "hospice care wiki" will get you some more lengthy answers.

Perhaps they meant to look into Home Health Care, which is a service, 'prescribed' by a physician, generally after a hospital visit and based on the needs of the patient. (Hospice *is* a kind of HHC, specializing in end of life needs.)

Another alternative is assisted living facilities or long term care facilities.

You don't mention what's going on for mom, so without further details it's hard to make other recommendations.
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You can get more details by googling Hospice. Overall hospice is for pallative care vs curative care. So whatever condition qualifies you is no longer treated....so there are significant insurance and Medicare repercussions. They focus on comfort and pain management as needed.
It is typically for patients whose prognosis is 6 months, if you outlive expectations, it can be expanded. You can ask your doctor if she is a candidate for hospice.
You can do it in a facility or at home. If you do it at home, the organization we used required family member be present the entire time. They offer 24 hour coverage while they stabilize the patient and when vitals indicate death is eminent. Doctors or nurse visits daily.

For people who are at an acceptance or death stage, it can provide a good alternative.
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Okay, that is what I thought. My mom was working in the garden yesterday pulling weeds and although we have problems with her medications being correct, I did not think she was ready for Hospice yet. It kind of shocked me when she mentioned it.
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If someone is in the garden pulling weeds I don't think they're ready for hospice quite yet. The parameter is usually if the person has about 6 months to live although I've known people who were on hospice longer. The Dr. can determine, if and when the time comes, when hospice is appropriate.
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My Mother in law had hospice care, Medicare will pay for it if the person has an illness which is terminal. They re-evaluate as time goes on, if the person improves they will terminate Hospice care and you will have to find something else. She had heart failure and dementia, she was on Hospice care for 1 year before she passed away. If you go to Medicare.gov, you can search for what it will cover.
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Hospice can be a Godsend when you need it, but before that, you may or may not agree with their philosophy and some will work with you and some are pretty doctrinaire. Make sure of implications for services and third party payments - they may stop covering some things you still want, it depends on rules and regs and interpretations of them as well.
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