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Valenciasmom Asked February 2019

Father on hospice; can someone explain to me the difference between hospice and euthanasia?

My father has been on hospice here in Florida for close to 2 1/2 months now. He is on hospice for congestive heart failure and his arteries are blocked (2 of them 80% blocked 1 of them 100% blocked. Too weak for catherization) he is also ESRF with kidney function at 15%. Problem is that no matter what my mom and I ask for, hospice says they won’t cover it. We asked for help with transportation to dialysis ( because he is completely bedridden) they say no, they don’t cover preventative medice. We ask for insulate, they say no it’s not related to his heart. We ask for refills on his nitroglycerin, they say no it’s not on list of discharge meds from hospital (even though he was not in need of nitro upon discharge cause he had plenty of pills left from refill).
My argument is that all his health issues stem from years of uncontrolled diabetics. And should be covered. They disagree. Can someone explain to me the difference between hospice and euthanasia? I feel they are getting fed up as my father is taking too long to die.

Rabanette Apr 2019
eu·tha·na·sia
noun
the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. The practice is illegal in most countries.

hos·pice
noun
a home providing care for the sick or terminally ill.

Although I'm not exactly sure about your situation, if your father has a DNR then they are not going to administer any drugs except those that will make him comfortable, ie., morphine. If he is close to end of life then there is no longer a need for dialysis, and it doesn't matter that he had years of undiagnosed diabetes or whatever. All that should matter is that he is as comfortable as possible.

JoAnn29 Feb 2019
Once on Hospice there is no dialysis. He still gets his diabetic meds. His kidney's must still be doing something or he would be gone by now. I just lost a classmate because he chose to stop his dialysis. He was gone within two weeks. He was a diabetic as was a GF of mine who chose Hospice and who was on a last ditch effort with dialysis.

Dialysis takes a lot out of a person. With all Dads health problems I really don't think it would have helped anyway.

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gladimhere Feb 2019
Medicare will pay 100% of hospice. To be accepted all other life extending/prolonging meds and treatments are stopped in favor of keeping the patient comfortable.

If dad wants the treatments and meds then hospice would be cancelled. Was hospice dad's decision? He may be just plain worn out and tired of fighting. Respect that and be there to support him.

Riverdale Feb 2019
I think technically euthanasia is only allowed in a few states in this country. I hope your father is not suffering greatly and hospice can keep that from happening. I have a mother who was a Christian Scientist for years. In her case that meant avoiding medical treatment. She spent years thinking she could receive healings with prayer. Two hip replacements, a knee replacement, and several other surgeries she has now decided she needs medicine to continue to live after years of deferred maintenance. My point with this is that if a person neglects a serious medical condition it most likely will catch up with them and the situation cannot be reversed. I understand your emotions. I think cwillie broke it down for you as simply yet thoroughly as possible. I hope whatever is decided for the care proves to be the best solution.

cwillie Feb 2019
I don't think you understand what hospice is, once someone's health is as compromised as your father's hospice is usually called in when the decision is made to stop all treatment and allow a natural death. It's about bowing to the inevitable to allow the patient to pass with minimal pain and suffering and not continuing treatments that are futile and which often have a negative impact on the quality of life that is remaining. Some people want to fight til the last breath - that's OK, but that isn't the role of hospice. If you want to continue dialysis and life saving medications then you need to leave the program, but before you do speak to your father about what HE wants, or if he isn't able to tell you then remember what his thoughts on this might have been in the past, this is his decision to make.

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