Follow
Share

My 88-year-old dad went from living independently, working out every day at the Y and singing in the church choir without oxygen supplements, to being bedridden in hospice after COVID-induced pneumonia took his Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) to a serious new level. He was in the hospital for several weeks, transferred to rehab, then had to return to the hospital when the staff were concerned about his O2 levels. The smallest exertion causes his O2 to plummet, and he's now continuously on 6 liters of oxygen, not eligible for rehab or assisted living due to his needs, with a limited life expectancy. My question is this: with a hospice nurse aide coming in 5 times a week for hygiene and a hospice nurse coming in 3 times a week to check on him, is it reasonable to expect a reduction of his $12,500/month rate in LTC? The staff is saying no, but I'd like to know what those with a similar experience have encountered.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Yes, I think its reasonable to ask for a reduction of the monthly cost.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I highly doubt there will be any reduction in rates as the hospice aide to bathe him is only there around a half hour each time and the hospice nurse probably the same amount of time, so the remainder of the time(which is the majority of the time)will still fall on the staff of the skilled nursing facility.

I had in-home hospice for my late husband and they did about 1% of his care while I was responsible for 99% of the rest of his care, so I'm sure it's the same in a facility too. So of course the facility should get their fair due as they're still doing 99% of the work.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Hospice should provide some equipment and supplies (such as the oxygen, cleaning products, etc.). That might get you some reduction since the facility won't have to provide them. I don't know how much. Maybe 1000 or 2000 out of the 12,500, but that is just a guess.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

No because you are under a contract and hospice provides other specific care. When my mom was in MC, I was actually asked to send her to LTC because she became bedridden and requiring staff to come in to help feed her
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

No. Hospice actually provides little support other than a few visits for bath, medication, RN once a week, Social Worker if needed. The facility is still responsible for most of the care and in this particular case the burden is onerous for all attempting best care. There won't be a reduction imho.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

It is reasonable but they won’t reduce his rate. My Mother is a level 3 and during her 2 years on hospice they never reduced the rate. They are all about profit not the wallet of the people they care for.

I am sorry about your Dad
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

You can ask.
It never hurts to ask
Do not expect a cut in fees though.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter