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lovesagoosa Asked December 2015

18 year old taking care of Mom (71). Hospice?

So me and my 19yo sister was adopted by our grandparents when we were a couple of months old. When I was 16yo my "dad" (grandpa) passed away after having a major stroke and my mom sent him to hospice to pass on. In March of this year my mom had congestive heart failure and had to have open heart surgery. Following the surgery she had a pretty serious stroke, but unlike my dad she was still able to talk & swallow. My mom cannot use the right side of her body, and she is very confused. The doctors said it was Alzheimer's/Dementia. Our older sisters (grandmas daughters) called hospice for "home help" or something like that... Please someone tell me what hospice is? I'm so confused and Hospice scares me...

Windyridge Dec 2015
When doctors determine that further medical intervention would serve no purpose they can recommend hospice care. Hospice can take place at home, in a hospital, nursing home or hospice center. The aim is to make the patient as comfortable and pain free as possible. Hospice cannot be forced on people. Either the patient must agree or if they are not able whomever has be assigned controll of the patients affairs may agree to hospice treatment. You should call the hospice organization who is dealing with your loved one. They can explain what is happening. My guess is there are no longer medical procedures that can help you mom. Hospice will help provide a peaceful and comfortable passing for her. I'm very sorry you are going through this. It must be very hard.

BarbBrooklyn Dec 2015
Hospice, as I understand it, is comfort care or palliative care, meaning that no curative treatments will be instituted. Hospice will provide a hospital bed, perhaps a special chair, some home health care, like a bath aide. Many patients improve on hospice and go back to regular medical care.

You can look up hospice on the "elder care" tab on this site.

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lovesagoosa Dec 2015
Any answers are much appreciated. Thanks

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