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Mom went into hospital this past Sunday and was diagnosed with a bad UTI again, and possible TIA strokes. Doctor recommended hospice care to begin, which is now in place. Does this mean the end of life is near for mom?

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With Hospice, the time of passing can be any length of time.   Usually if a patient only has 6 months to lives, it is good to place them on Hospice.   Hospice is an extra set of eyes and ears.   I have read where patients have been on Hospice for over a year.

And there have been patients who have "graduated" from Hospice, thus taken off Hospice Care because the patient started to feel much better.   In some of those cases, the patient had been taking so many different prescription pills that it was causing the patient to become very sick.   Hospice likes to take the patient off all pills except for those that help relieve pain.... thus the turn around in the patient's condition.
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The End wasn't near when Mother's doctor placed her on Hospice in July 2012,but HE thought she wouldn't make it much longer and he knew I was taking care of Mom by myself so he ordered a company for us,but Mother was a "Fighter" and God took her in His Perfect Timing in Dec. 2015.
For 3 and a half years straight,she was on Hospice and I was grateful for all their help.This is how it went for us. Take care
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How old is your Mom?
I was just given an order by my Uncle's Dr about 2 weeks ago. Yes his time is near He is 91 with advanced prostate cancer and bone met.
This is not the first time I was told to call them.
It was suggested by a nurse 2 years ago that I call them but I didn't. I have been his only caregiver for over 3 years.
I discussed it with my uncle and both of us didn't feel it was necessary 2 years ago. He was mobile back then. Walking with a walker and going to Drs appts.
This time I was really hesitant too, but I did.
I was running on empty taking care of him and my husband. I have my own health issues that just isn't allowing me to do what I need to do for my uncle.
I called hospice and so far they have been a God send to me.
I was talking with the nurse from hospice about the same question , she told me she has had people on hospice for 2 years and had to release them because they got better.
I found out it doesn't hurt to call and accept their help. In hindsight, I wish I would have called them sooner.
My Uncle has not been taken off his meds or given any for pain. He says he's not in pain. They do listen and they haven't changed a thing except for, giving me some extra very needed help!
Than there's the other outcome too.
In my Uncle's case I don't see him getting better.
Best wishes to you and your Mom ❤
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Is there any particular reason that family members don't want to accept Hospice? If they can offer much needed help, I'm not sure why there is such a resistance. Is it because the family member can't accept that its a signal that there will likely be no long term recovery for the patient? Don't they already know that? I'm  curious, because I often read where family members do not want to accept Hospice or they say they finally had to accept their help. I'm not sure I fully understand it. 

I have asked about Hospice for my cousin, who her doctor says is now in the most severe stage.  She has some Stage 6 traits, but also some in stage 7, but, they say she's not there yet.  I suppose that since she's still eating, drinking and able to say more than a few words, they think it's too early. 
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My Mother and I didn't think about getting Hospice because we thought it was only for people that had cancer and were dying soon,but our Doctor explained to us that it was for anyone declining and that they would only offer more help.We really didn't want to do it at first but I really did need some help so they sent a nurse out twice a week,a bathaid twice a week,took care of all Mom's oxygen needs,ordered Mother's medicenes,sent a Chaplain from time to time and even a lady they got through a grant that rubbed Mom's back to come once a week and I was so thankful for their help and that Mother allowed them to come into our home but until the doctor suggested it,we just thought it was for dying cancer patients only.
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Thanks Luckylu, I'm not sure if that would benefit my LO or not. She's in MC and already has someone to bathe her there, plus the doctor comes to the facility, they order and administer her meds. I have have seen Hospice workers in the MC assisting bedbound patients, but, my LO isn't there yet. I suppose I'll just see how things go for the next few months. If I was doing all of her care at home, that would be different.  I would definitely need their help in that case.
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Palliative care is an alternative to Hospice if you feel you are not ready to commit to hospice. Many of the same services will be provided and you may live for several years with this support. It is not as restrictive as hospice in that you can continue to receive curative treatment. It is like a safety net for when the patient does decline enough to be ready for hospice. When you are ready the transition to hospice will be very easy and the patient will probably continue with the same nurses and other support staff.
Anyone who has a condition that could be life ending within six months can be admitted to hospice.This includes Cancer, heart failure, live & kidney failure and chronic illnesses like MS and Lou Gehrics disease. There are many other things like a continued weight loss or the need for multiple visits to the ER. The patient does need to continue to decline otherwise they will be discharged or can choose to leave themselves but are free to be re-admitted at any time. Medicare and most Insurance companies cover the full cost of hospice care but they do impose strict guidelines which a hospice Medicare certified must adhere to.
It is also possible to transfer to another hospice if the patient wishes to travel. For example if they want to spent the summer in a vacation home the current hospice will contact one in the vacation area and make the necessary arrangements for the care to continue.
The bottom line is that if you choose hospice you do not have to sit at home and make yourself die once the six months is up. They will do all they can to make whatever time you have left as fulfilling as possible.
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Since asking my question about hospice and end of life it has been 6 months. Mom is one tough lady! Hospice has been such a God send for me and for her. No more hospitals! So much has been lifted off my shoulders. Mom is re-evaluated every 3 months by hospice to check her progress on hospice. She is up and down with her health and the T.I.A.s are more frequent but is still hanging in! She will always qualify as one of her carotid arteries in her neck is totally blocked and she has mitral valve prolapse in one of her heart valves. It is wonderful to have a team whose focus is totally mom's comfort. Anyone out there that is hesitant about bringing in hospice, don't be. Mom's doctor the last time she was in the hospital told me it was time for hospice as she qualified because of the blockage and the Alzheimer's.
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