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My mom is currently under Hospice. The only regular set appointment we have with them is the nurse, who at our request, only comes 1 time a week. Last week the social worker called 1 hour before the nurse and wanted to know if she could come at the same time as the nurse. On the message she said if she didn't hear back, she would just come. She didn't come nor have I heard from her again. Yesterday, when the nurse was there (at 4:00), she told me the "ONLY" time the Nurse Practioner could come was today @ 9:30 a.m. That gave me less than 24 hours notice. Not only am I the only caretaker for my mom but I provide the insurance for my husband and I which requires I work 30 hours a week. I feel like I had no choice but to adjust my schedule since it was the "ONLY" time she could come. Am I wrong in expecting they should work with/around my schedule? I understand due to the nature of their work, their schedules may change and I am okay making the changes when a family is in a crisis situation. What are your experiences with Hospice. Is it normal for them to give such short notice? I'm about as stretched to the limit as I can be.

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Take charge. They work for you. They are not doing you a favor. They are being paid well for their services.

Of COURSE you're going to try to be accommodating. But don't hesitate to offer alternatives for your convenience and sanity.

Perhaps you could give all of them an idea of what works for you Mon thru Fri. Like afternoons after 1 PM are the best.

You might also call the supervisor or director of the hospice program you're using and tell them the problem you're having...asking at the same time if he/she knows of ANOTHER hospice program that has more flexibility. Be ready to provide your best times because, believe me, she isn't going to refer you anywhere. She'll solve the problem.
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Has to be a compromise. I would set down your working schedule for them and explain your situation. Tell them where, if at all, you can be flexible. It is hard, I can attest after doing home health for years, and having a big geographic area to work around. What I did was put folks who had defined schedules high on prioriity as much as possible and then add iin others. It does get tricky, I can tell you. Hopefully if you can meet them half way since they are not making daily visits and half a win win. Sometimes understanding they are stressed, trying to fit it in, in a work environment that involves lots of difficult situations, but also expressing your own needs in direct, matter of fact tone, can get you what you want. Good luck.
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I am having the same problem with our Hospice. We live in a very rural area, and I have repeatedly requested afternoon visits. My dad is terminally ill, and mornings are very tough on all of us. My mom is 81, with mild Alzheimer's with me being caretaker for both.
They have tried to work around the schedule and seem to always blame the office for the scheduling, but I get different answers to the same request.
For example, I called and requested the nurse who comes out once a week also, to come in the afternoon. She called 10 minutes before she was coming and arrived at 10:00am.
When she left I followed her outside and explained again, that afternoon's were better for us. Next time she came she called 2 hours before hand and came in the afternoon. So far so good. We live in a very rural area and there is only one Hospice in this area.
Good luck and just keep requesting and calling. They are pretty understanding, but I think the schedule making is actually in the field nurse's hands.
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Well done Maggie.......
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Actually Hospice does not "work" for you. It is a wonderful service that is paid for by Medicare. It only happens in the last days of someone's life.

Because there are so many people in the end stage of their lives, Hospice must fit all the visits into a certain schedule of work not of their making. They have no choice. So if your mom needs their service they must fit her into the schedule. Once that happens they will try to fit her in on your schedule but I say that with reservation.
Perhaps there is a neighbor or friend that can be present?
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Hospices is great & they will work with you.

I am about at the point where I am looking in to hospice for myself & I am so glad I'll have it there when I make the transition..
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I agree with Maggie....they are employed by YOU not the other way around!! Call the director and if you get nowhere call your Medicare rep and report the problem!!
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Hospice works for you/mom, and your insurance company is paying for their services. The Hospice Agency should utilize a patient centered approach. My heart goes out to you, while you attempt to work a 30 hour position and be a caregiver to your mom, during this very difficult time. It is important that you and your family maintain a healthy life balance and minimize your stress levels. An excellent Hospice agency will recognize this. An excellent Hospice agency should hire staff (including social workers) that will provide good customer/patient services. It is not acceptable to make an appointment with a caregiver and not show up for a scheduled appointment without a phone call and explanation. Please understand that you do have choices. I recommend that you share your schedule needs/ expectations with the Hospice Director of nursing. Inform them that you are seeking a Hospice agency/center of excellence that can support the needs of you and your mom. If you have any available time, do some research, or assign this to a trusted friend. Find out if your hospice agency is the best choice for your mom/family. I checked with nurse and doctor friends, other clinicians, and online searches to find a center of excellence/hospice agency for my brother. The hospital planned to "assign" a Hospice Agency to my brother. Fortunately I knew that we were able to select our own hospice agency, and selected the one that was highly recommended by trusted professionals. My brother's hospice agency was excellent! If you are not getting the service that you are paying for, please know that you can request to change to a different Hospice agency. BEFORE you change, please check with your preferred new Hospice provider, to make sure that they can provide services to you/mom.
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With folks in hospice, one never knows what events will occur at the last home. So try a little compromise, explain your situation, and/or find another hospice company. Here in AZ we have a great hospice called Hospice of the Valley, and most of the caregivers are volunteers and it is free for the patient.
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Who is with your mom while you are at work? Is she left without anyone there during this time? Can they let them ( hospice nurse) in to do their visit with your mom?
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