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My mother seems to think it means getting to the end of life. I think it means a little extra help. Any clues

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Hospice is end of life care, normally comfort measures only. Though things easily treatable are taken care of. Though people do get better under hospice care, and then are moved out of it. Does Mom have a DNR or living will? Is she the one on hospice care? Doctors prescribe hospice when they believe there is less than six months for the patient to live.
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You and your mom should both read about Hospice on this site (tabs above).

Ask yourself, if you drop to the floor, dead, isn't your mom going to be in a nursing home, but WITH OUT an advocate?

One third of all caregivers die before their charges do. We've got lots of examples of that here.

My mom is in NH. She is well cared for by three shifts of RNs, LPNs and Aides. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than having her live with me ? Yes. Because THEY know what they're doing. I'm her visiting daughter, advocate and bringer of gossip. It works.
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Hospice is end of life care, your mom is right. But with hospice comes extra help so you are correct as well. Some people don't like the word "hospice" because they associate it with death so it is sometimes called "palliative care".
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When I think of hospice I think of comfort care that makes the end of life easier. Hospice is not afraid to use medications that ease pain. They are not afraid of talking about death when they know it will be soon. So yes, they are about the end of life, but mainly they're about comfort and making it less painful for the patient and family.
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Hospice means getting a lot of relief from a crushing burden. I don't think I could have faced that last month without them. When the nurse was there, I could go outside and breathe, I could let the tears flow and then gather enough strength for one more day. They do care for the patient, but it is YOUR hand that they steady.
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To be admitted to hospice care you must have an illness that is likely to end your life within 6 months. You have acess 24/7 to an RN and at other times a Social worker ,minister or priest, your care is overseem by the hospice medical director but your personal physicion still manages your care but you no longer have to make office visit. There are volunteers to sit with you sometimes provide transportation for outings,Aides will come to the home and bathe the patient clean their room and bathroom. sometimes do laundry if there is time. your medications will be provided related to the terminal illness and you can still recieve meds for other chronic conditions. you no longer need to go to the ER but if necessary you can be taken and sometimes hospitalized. There is a five day respite hospitalization every benefit period so the caregivers can rest.
Palliative care occers before the patient is ready for hospice and provides many of the same services and can transition to hospice when the time comes. You are free to leave hospice if you want to seek further treatment or just don't like it. You can be admitted again later. The cost of hospice is covered by medicare and most other insurance plans
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