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My dad had COPD which was getting worse. A family member talked dad into having hospice come in w the sole purpose of having someone else handle his medication, instead of dad having the stress of making the calls himself or having to go back and forth to the hospital so often. We were told they weren’t just for end of life care.
A Hospice nurse came on Monday to asses his situation and find out why he/we wanted hospice to help. The nurse that came that day knew fully what he/we wanted etc. The next nurse they sent decided removing ALL of his medications would be best for him- which was fully defeating the purpose of being there to begin with for what we all wanted. The next nurse they sent said it was cruel to take all his meds away so she gave 2-3 of his prescriptions back to him. This all was happening so fast, we put our trust in them and dad declined so rapidly because of the choices they were making. They started him on morphine that weekend and he died that early Monday morning in his sleep. The lack of communication within the ‘team of nurses’ caused him to pass within 6.5 days time. He was fully involved in his own care the first Monday and unresponsive by Saturday and gone before anyone woke up Monday.
Nobody was on the same page within the hospice employment w my dads care or what dad wanted.
I don’t know what to do about this if anything? But I don’t want this to continue to happen to other families.

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Hospice is comfort measures, which means you are no longer treatment the illness and just having meds that provide comfort. The nurses normally remove most meds. Hospice is not a way to get your meds managed and have someone to communicate with the doctor, it is to provide physical comfort until death. It sounds like you wanted more of a home health type nurse. It's good to have a family member with when doing intakes with hospice, many elderly people probably don't communicate well for themselves or perhaps don't understand what exactly they are agreeing to. Hospice is covered medicare so that is often the lure that gets people to sign with them and they think they are getting home health services for free. I often wonder if it is a government conspiracy created to remove as many elderly people as soon as possible from the world as they are usually the ones with the highest health care costs, especially near end of life. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
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I'm so sorry that your dad died so suddenly. Hospice is only brought in when the Dr's believe that the patient has 6 months or less to live. They are never just brought in to handle medications. Their sole purpose is to give comfort care, when end of life is near. Yes, there seemed to be some confusion on what medications to leave your dad on or take off, but your dad and your family had a right to insist he stay on whatever ones he/they felt necessary. I know there were several times while my husband was under their care, that they either wanted to add a medication or take one of his away, and if I didn't agree with it, it didn't happen. That's where the family has to step up and voice their opinion. Unfortunately, he wasn't under their care long enough for you all to figure that out, nor were things explained properly to you. I'm sorry for that. All hospice agencies are not created equal, and it's alway good to do your research before getting one involved. Now all that being said, I am a firm believer that when it's out time to go, it's our time to go. It was your dad's time to go, and while none of you were ready for his leaving, please try and take some comfort in the fact that he didn't have to lay and suffer for months on end. Praying for God's peace and comfort to envelope you.
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Beth, first of all, I am so sorry for the loss of you much loved Dad.
Hospice is "hired" for end of life care.
Who was POA? Who signed on for Hospice and asked for Hospice and agreed to Hospice. You say "We" but quite honestly there is no "we" in ordering in Hospice. It is END OF LIFE CARE. And that is ordered by a doctor in full knowledge (in his medical opinion) that there is no longer ANY OPTION TO TREAT and that there is now "comfort care" only, and those medications that help with comfort (pain, air hunger, agitation).
It is truly beyond my capability to understand that this ordering by MD with family POA agreement, interviewing of Hospice, and speaking with Hospice that any of the above is missed. Who signed the admission papers into Hospice? The admission papers clearly state what the mission is.
On Forum we always make it clear to families that Hospice means end of life "palliative" care. Hospice organizations make this clear. If, in the fog of illness, and early admission before a care plan is created there is some confusion in some family members then I understand that somehow things got jumbled. That your Dad passed before all of this could be worked out with care conference then I understand how some things could be missed; I feel he must have been very close to death when Hospice entered the picture (and this is likely WHY they were entering the picture.)
I am sorry for your loss. You have here on this ElderCare Forum made it clear to families everywhere that Hospice is not something you hire on for extra help at home, but is END OF LIFE CARE, so that is one way that your wish that you "don't want this to continue to happen to other families" can be fulfilled.
I am so sorry for your loss. This confusion cannot have made it easier and will not make your mourning easier. I feel at this point, since hospice also reaches out after the passing, that the family should request a conference with Hospice regarding your understandings and misunderstandings.
Your Dad died in Hospice care in one week. It took only three days for my brother to die in Hospice care. He was fully aware he was going home "to die in my own bed" and "not to have further debilitating and torturous treatment". He was cognizant at the time, and his care was discussed with him fully, and with me as his sister.
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