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riamac2 Asked November 2016

My mom has dementia and and is on dialysis. Can she be on hospice?

Llamalover47 Dec 2016
Why does she need hospice? Yes, I understand hospice is a place for the sick, especially the terminally ill. But in real life scenarios, I've heard of individuals being on hospice specifically for end-of-life care.

lifeexperiences Nov 2016
i liv in CA...and maybe there and hospice supplied everything my mother needed for free. all medications...and if they didn't cover a particular one...humana her insurance did. they work together. she got free diapers, cleaning products, foam mattresses. she had a severe rash spreading throughout her body...and that is when i finally called hospice...cause she was already bedridden for 8 months. the doctor came to the house and gave her a biopsy and all the medication needed for that. i new my mother was in the dying process...cause she now was sleeping almost 20 hrs a day. hospice saved my sanity and tons of money!!!

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anonymous451731 Nov 2016
Where my mom was in hospice; it was if one had 6 months or less to live. When she started dialysis, hospice stopped as there was no end of life time frame. When she stopped dialysis, hospice started again

pamstegma Nov 2016
riamac, You cannot have dialysis AND Hospice. One or the other.

nature73 Nov 2016
My aunt was hospice at one time & then "graduated" out because she improved. At some point she was back in hospice. In her case, hospice was ordered when it was determined that she PROBABLY had less than 6 months to live. So who can predict this accurately??? I think there is some wiggle room allowed.

JoAnn29 Nov 2016
Take the "not" out. Should be "have changed"

JoAnn29 Nov 2016
If ur Mom is on Medicare they pay for Hospice. Things are covered that you may be paying out of pocket for, like diapers. I she is in ur home call her doctor and get an order for Hospice. Also, ask him for a recommendation. Hospice will come to ur home and evaluate ur Mom. An aide will be provided for a short time each day. She can bath Mom and give u time to run errands. A nurse will come in a few times during the week. Medical equipment, like a hospital bed, can be provided all at no cost to you. It won't hurt to try. The rules for Hospice have not changed.

terry615815 Nov 2016
Found out U don't have to be dying to get Hospice. My mother isn't dying and they want to put Hospice with her. Hospice provides Drs, Nurses,Meds that come here, provide rides to take her to places that she has to go. To find out, get a social worker involved. Ask your insurance company. My mother has Humana and I didn't have to ask- they just supplied them when she kept going to Hsp

JoAnn29 Nov 2016
Ohmygod, this is not Hospice care. You can be on it for months. What ur discribing is still illegal, I'm sure.

lifeexperiences Nov 2016
HOSPICE IS NOT A QUICK THING!! PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON HOSPICE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS!

Veronica91 Nov 2016
Thank you for that helpful answer Grandma. Depending on their policy it is possible to remain receiving dialysis but bear in mind it is very expensive and hospice only receives a set about of money per day per patient. Most patients give up the dialysis of their own volition within a few weeks when they are terminal. The effort is just too much.
I am so sick and tired of people spreading the myth that hospice euthanizes the patients. There are so many different that an open mind is essential.

Grandma1954 Nov 2016
OhMyGod...My husband was on Hospice for over 2 years.
He was re-certified many times during that time.
As long as there is continued decline and no chance for recovery the person will most likely remain on Hospice without a problem.
A "life ending" dosage was never given to him, I administered all medications. All medications were given as prescribed and when he was prescribed morphine it was after he stopped eating and drinking. The morphine was able to help manage pain that the daily pills I had given him did. The morphine also helped him breathe when breathing became difficult.
Please do not scare people that might be worried or hesitant to contact Hospice.

Sunnygirl1 Nov 2016
I observed at least two dementia patients in my cousin's MC unit who were on Hospice for least a year. They were both bed bound, nonverbal, one barely ever opened her eyes, had to be turned, etc. I couldn't believe they both lived for so long. So, even on Hospice, you just never know about the life expectation.

OhMyGod Nov 2016
In my very limited experience, one one is put on Hospice, they are give medication for pain such as morphine, and, within three days, a life ending dosage. So you need to have your burial/cremation details in place and preferably paidvfor! Hospice is a quick thing and when one has a terminal condition i guess the government has decided there is no point in lingering.

Amethyst Nov 2016
Ask your mom's doctor if he/she may qualify. Next, call a Hospice ( l googled to find local one) Schedule a home visit for their evaluation.
Then, Hospice will contact your mom's doctor to determine if she will be serviced with Hospice At Home. My state of Virginia explained after 6 months the service will be re-evaluated. Not sure about other states. Blessings on your journey.

Grandma1954 Nov 2016
Call the Hospice of your choice and ask for someone to evaluate your Mother for service. They will let you know if she is Hospice eligible.
The call and the evaluation will not cost you anything but a bit of time. And the outcome may be well worth it.

lifeexperiences Nov 2016
dont depend on your doctor!!! my mother's doctor was totally ignorant about hospice care...so i called them out of desperation to evaluate the situation...and she qualified!!!! i was sooooooooo relieved...it was a team of doctors and nurses coming to her and my rescue!!!! they in turn told me to tell my doctor to admit my mother into hospice!!!

EMASund Nov 2016
I found the above article regarding palliative care and hospice. Hopefully it will offer some answers.

Arleeda Nov 2016
Hospice doesn't provide any care that would keep someone alive by artificial means, which I would guess means no dialysis. You didn't say if you were looking at hospice in home care or in a hospital or free-standing hospice care unit--I feel pretty certain that the hospice doesn't cover that. Death from renal failure is a good way to go, I hope I can be so lucky!

GrandmaLynn5 Nov 2016
You don't say how old your mother is. My mother is 97 and she is under hospice care. She has some dementia and major mobility issues as she can no longer walk or even stand without assistance. I discussed her condition with the hospice social worker this week, and she told me that as long as she continues to decline, she will continue under hospice care. She is reevaluated every 60 days. She has not been declared terminal. Perhaps it varies from state to state. She lives in Michigan. Contact Area Agency on Aging for a list of hospice care companies. Their approach to care varies in that some are more religious oriented from my experience. This cost is covered by Medicare. Good luck with this.

helpmom Nov 2016
to jeannegibbs:
Sorry! The "do" in my answer should be "doctor."
helpmom

helpmom Nov 2016
As far as I know hospice care is available only when someone has been determined by a do tor to be terminally ill. This would involve weaning from all medications and treatments. You may need to look into long-term care options.

jeannegibbs Nov 2016
Discuss this with the hospice program in your area.

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