Most people believe that calling in Hospice means their loved one is near death. What it actually means is the acknowledgement that your loved one is not going to get well or even better. They provide so many other things than just medical care. They have Chaplains, nurses, counselors. They will spend time with the family as well as with your loved one.
Aim high...Shoot for the stars! Far to often people wait and are not able to take advantage of all that Hospice has to offer. If mom is eligible for Hospice you will get far more in the way of help, supplies, equipment than if she is on Palliative care. However if you feel that Hospice is not quite what you want yet (for some it is a bit daunting making that decision) Palliative is a nice first step. The Palliative Care team will let you know when they think it is time for Hospice. But, me being me, I would try for Hospice first if I thin found out she was not eligible I would go with Palliative. Contact a few Hospice in your area. Interview them. Let them tell you if mom is eligible for Hospice. Select the one you have a good feeling about, one that you have checked reviews on. They all have Social Media presence check that out. Once you have selected you are not bound to them, you have the right to change Hospice just like you can change to another doctor if you feel you are not getting the care you want or deserve.
Hospice Care is usually if a patient will be dying within 6 months and not seeking any treatments just being treated with Comfort Care like pain management.
Palliative Care is Comfort Care along with continued Treatments.
Your Dr will advise you when they think the patient should go in to Hospice Care but at that time, start with Palliative Care.
We just included a palliative care dr to my mom’s team. Super helpful in coordinating care among her specialists. He has already been a great advocate in identifying and addressing her needs. We have a clear plan of her priorities and cater to that. My mom is not at end stage so don’t be afraid to explore that option before you get to that point!
Bless your heart! I know this is all very difficult, we all have to be ready for this eventuality.
To keep it short, my mother is 89 years old, has multipal medical conditions that require medication, and has 24 hour supervision. She is in constant pain from her arthritis and a compression fracture in her spine. She can get out of bed with her walker but has still fallen. Her mental capacity is mid to late stage dementia.
I asked the Board and care manager if there was anything else I could do for her and was told to ask her PCP about Palliative Care. I had never heard of it before, so she had to explain it to me. When I asked her doctor about it he put in an order for her evaluation right then.
The person they sent out was very patient and kind to mother. She asked me alot of questions but also asked mother separately. It was dicided that she did not need it at this time, but they would be happy to re-evaluate her again if her situation changes.
It doesn't hurt to ask and it can relieve/confirm your concerns.
Good luck with all of this. Hang in there, you are not alone.
Do an intake interview with hospice. They will advise on available services and you will be prepared to start their services when needed. Friends and family repeatedly suggested for two years that we do this, but we were reluctant. I finally called on a Monday afternoon, the interview was conducted Tuesday morning and hospice was ready when needed later that same day. My friend passed away that evening just a few hours afterwards. Hospice came to certify the death so we avoided transporting a body via ambulance to the nearest hospital so they could confirm the obvious. They also called the funeral home to pick up the body. I have no doubt that hospice would have been a tremendous ally had events happened more slowly.
I'm more familiar with hospice care than palliative care - but palliative care is designed to keep the patient comfortable when not pursuing active treatment of disease. I believe this can be utilized when the patient doesn't meet guidelines for hospice - death not expected to occur within 6 mos.
Hospice care is end of life care and is similar to palliative care in that no active treatment of the disease is treated but the patient is kept comfortable and allows them to meet death with dignity.
My father was on hospice the last six months of his life and the agency we used was very caring of both my father and the family. At 91 dad landed in the hospital with what was thought to be an upper respiratory virus going around that mom had had. However he was Dx with CHF, Afib, leaky heart valve and another heart issue - he had already been dealing with AD and vascular dementia. He was done no more rehab no more treatment. As far as I know dad was never in physical pain and the pain meds were never used but he was taken off all meds except those that kept him comfortable - like the drugs to keep fluid from building up.
So the question, is mom looking to stop active treatment of her heart disease, if so then you should speak with her, your siblings and her docs about options.
Hope this helps - also check out the care topics at this website for more information on palliative and hospice care. Good luck.
I was surprised to learn that now palliative care differs from hospice in that palliative care—keeping someone comfortable—is done while receiving treatment, whereas hospice is for people with a terminal condition. Those terms used to be almost interchangeable. I learned about this while trying to figure out care for my brother with glioblastoma.
I agree with other postings that say to check with her doctor. They will guide you in the right direction.
I seriously doubt that you or your mom would even desire surgery at her age. Your profile says that she is 88. So, you can be satisfied with palliative care. If the situation worsens drastically, then by all means, utilize the services of hospice care. They will offer comfort care, a social worker and clergy.
Thanks for the advice. One reason I asked is that my dad passed the night before I was going to ask for hospice care to help out my sister (they took in him to her house for 4 months). I was also concerned with her quality of life. Mom can barely stand and pivot to get on her commode. My sister lives nearby and has been great with assistance (just as I did for her when she had my dad). I live alone with her in my house, and am worried about burning out myself. Surgery is not an option at this point.
My mom was on hospice 9 months. She had asked for years not to be taken to the hospital, or to be resuscitated. She got to the point she didn't even want physical therapy, and would certainly not have wanted chemotherapy for cancer. Hospice doesn't take away all treatment. My mom continued the medicine to try to prevent strokes, and I knew that if she had an infection or illness that she would have been given antibiotics. Some the best things about being on hospice were the weekly visits by the nurse, the doctor a phone call away, home visits by a nurse instead of an exhausting trip to the emergency room, and the portable x-ray machine when she broke her arm. As her condition changed, they could change her medicines and treatment plans within about 12 hours with home delivery of prescriptions. I really felt like her health was more stable on hospice, than when we had to call the doctor's office and schedule an appointment a week later.
I totally agree! I’ve felt they’ve been more connected to him and his care, as well as with me an my niece. All of which has given us more peace of mind.
When it came to deciding whether to place my brother, 65, in hospice, my guiding idea was comfort. In a period of less than six months we went from thinking he had early onset dementia to being diagnosed with glioblastoma. The tumor covered almost half his brain—the first surgery was for biopsies and the second was to remove as much as possible. He had already lost his ability to remember, solve problems, look after himself, exercise good judgment, etc. He was worse after the second surgery and too many events afterwards lost time for the best opportunity for radiation and chemo. He refused meds and heparin shots. So treatment was going to be futile.
Placing him in hospice was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make and I consulted with a cousin who’s a surgeon as well as the Brain Tumor Network. His doctors were frustrating—they just kept pushing for treatment. I discussed this decision with my 22year old niece who is daddy’s girl and she was in agreement. Using the Medicare website I found the best hospice and a much better nursing home. He’s improved a lot since being in hospice. He has lots more attention and has been far more cooperative and walking better.
One of the hospice people invited a guitarist friend of hers to play for my brother who was a rock guitarist. My niece brought her dad’s guitar. The hospice people were amazed at how much he opened up. He tapped his hand in rhythm, was smiling, laughing and talking. Generally he’s had a flat affect. I know there’s no way he could have enjoyed this time had he been getting treatment. The musician friend is coming again next week. We’ve found he is so much more cooperative with music. He kept resisting taking a shower, but when the hospice nurse played Arrowsmith on her phone he became agreeable and got in the shower. I’m getting Alexa for my niece and her boyfriend to program playlists for him since he’s unable to use devices. I know the good moments won’t last but we’re making good last memories.
Hospice is most often seen as THE END since that’s typically when patients are brought in. Sometimes I think doctors see putting patients in hospice as failure that they couldn’t cure them. The hospice people tell me the purpose is to make the most of remaining life, and comfortable as possible as life ends. I am so glad he’s in hospice instead of misery from treatment.
Two books that were immensely helpful in decision making were “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande, (a surgeon) and “Farewell; vital end of life questions with candid answers, by Edward T Creagan (medical oncologist and palliative care and hospice physician at Mayo Clinic). Survey after survey has shown people would rather die at home. Theres a growing awareness that treatment isn’t appropriate, that patients have the right idea.
Far to often people wait and are not able to take advantage of all that Hospice has to offer.
If mom is eligible for Hospice you will get far more in the way of help, supplies, equipment than if she is on Palliative care. However if you feel that Hospice is not quite what you want yet (for some it is a bit daunting making that decision) Palliative is a nice first step. The Palliative Care team will let you know when they think it is time for Hospice.
But, me being me, I would try for Hospice first if I thin found out she was not eligible I would go with Palliative.
Contact a few Hospice in your area. Interview them. Let them tell you if mom is eligible for Hospice. Select the one you have a good feeling about, one that you have checked reviews on. They all have Social Media presence check that out. Once you have selected you are not bound to them, you have the right to change Hospice just like you can change to another doctor if you feel you are not getting the care you want or deserve.
Palliative Care is Comfort Care along with continued Treatments.
Your Dr will advise you when they think the patient should go in to Hospice Care but at that time, start with Palliative Care.
I know this is all very difficult, we all have to be ready for this eventuality.
To keep it short, my mother is 89 years old, has multipal medical conditions that require medication, and has 24 hour supervision. She is in constant pain from her arthritis and a compression fracture in her spine. She can get out of bed with her walker but has still fallen. Her mental capacity is mid to late stage dementia.
I asked the Board and care manager if there was anything else I could do for her and was told to ask her PCP about Palliative Care. I had never heard of it before, so she had to explain it to me. When I asked her doctor about it he put in an order for her evaluation right then.
The person they sent out was very patient and kind to mother. She asked me alot of questions but also asked mother separately. It was dicided that she did not need it at this time, but they would be happy to re-evaluate her again if her situation changes.
It doesn't hurt to ask and it can relieve/confirm your concerns.
Good luck with all of this. Hang in there, you are not alone.
Hospice care is end of life care and is similar to palliative care in that no active treatment of the disease is treated but the patient is kept comfortable and allows them to meet death with dignity.
My father was on hospice the last six months of his life and the agency we used was very caring of both my father and the family. At 91 dad landed in the hospital with what was thought to be an upper respiratory virus going around that mom had had. However he was Dx with CHF, Afib, leaky heart valve and another heart issue - he had already been dealing with AD and vascular dementia. He was done no more rehab no more treatment. As far as I know dad was never in physical pain and the pain meds were never used but he was taken off all meds except those that kept him comfortable - like the drugs to keep fluid from building up.
So the question, is mom looking to stop active treatment of her heart disease, if so then you should speak with her, your siblings and her docs about options.
Hope this helps - also check out the care topics at this website for more information on palliative and hospice care. Good luck.
I seriously doubt that you or your mom would even desire surgery at her age. Your profile says that she is 88. So, you can be satisfied with palliative care. If the situation worsens drastically, then by all means, utilize the services of hospice care. They will offer comfort care, a social worker and clergy.
Best wishes to you and your mom.
Hospice doesn't take away all treatment. My mom continued the medicine to try to prevent strokes, and I knew that if she had an infection or illness that she would have been given antibiotics.
Some the best things about being on hospice were the weekly visits by the nurse, the doctor a phone call away, home visits by a nurse instead of an exhausting trip to the emergency room, and the portable x-ray machine when she broke her arm. As her condition changed, they could change her medicines and treatment plans within about 12 hours with home delivery of prescriptions. I really felt like her health was more stable on hospice, than when we had to call the doctor's office and schedule an appointment a week later.
Placing him in hospice was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make and I consulted with a cousin who’s a surgeon as well as the Brain Tumor Network. His doctors were frustrating—they just kept pushing for treatment. I discussed this decision with my 22year old niece who is daddy’s girl and she was in agreement. Using the Medicare website I found the best hospice and a much better nursing home. He’s improved a lot since being in hospice. He has lots more attention and has been far more cooperative and walking better.
One of the hospice people invited a guitarist friend of hers to play for my brother who was a rock guitarist. My niece brought her dad’s guitar. The hospice people were amazed at how much he opened up. He tapped his hand in rhythm, was smiling, laughing and talking. Generally he’s had a flat affect. I know there’s no way he could have enjoyed this time had he been getting treatment. The musician friend is coming again next week. We’ve found he is so much more cooperative with music. He kept resisting taking a shower, but when the hospice nurse played Arrowsmith on her phone he became agreeable and got in the shower. I’m getting Alexa for my niece and her boyfriend to program playlists for him since he’s unable to use devices. I know the good moments won’t last but we’re making good last memories.
Hospice is most often seen as THE END since that’s typically when patients are brought in. Sometimes I think doctors see putting patients in hospice as failure that they couldn’t cure them. The hospice people tell me the purpose is to make the most of remaining life, and comfortable as possible as life ends. I am so glad he’s in hospice instead of misery from treatment.
Two books that were immensely helpful in decision making were “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande, (a surgeon) and “Farewell; vital end of life questions with candid answers, by Edward T Creagan (medical oncologist and palliative care and hospice physician at Mayo Clinic). Survey after survey has shown people would rather die at home. Theres a growing awareness that treatment isn’t appropriate, that patients have the right idea.
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