What home Hospice services are you receiving?

My dad’s hospice service had a list of names with contact info of people who they knew did extra help with hospice patients. They weren’t hospice employees but enjoyed the work, they were mostly CNA’s. We hired several of these people when more help was needed than I could provide. Each had their own pay rate but none were unreasonable. They were a godsend

Please call your local Area Agency on Aging and tell them your Dad is on Hospice and that Meals on Wheels told you their routes are full.

They will intervene, and get him signed up for his meals. There are different plans that the counties have for Meals on Wheels. They'll be able to get him on one of them - especially since he has demonstrated need by being on home Hospice. One simple phone call to an AEA Case Manager is all it will take.

Speak with your individual hospice caring for your Dad about all services you can request. Certain services are covered by Medicare under Hospice. It may vary region to region, state to state. You will have rights to clergy and social services. Ask your hospice.

I was under the impression that respite care was one week in a facility to give the family a break? You can ask that the aide stay longer so you can run errands but this needs to be done in advance before schedules are made up. You should be getting Depends, wipes, chucks, prescriptions and some other things.

In home Hospice is basically the same, the family does most of the care. The admitting Nurse should have explained what they can do and where you can ask questions. Even if the RN is not there, you should be able to contact her 24/7.

Medicare covers Hospice so there is basic criteria. The problem is, the area you live in. In mine, you get an aide 3x a week for an hr unless you request more time. There was a member who had one 4 hrs a day. It depends on how many aides an agency hires and how many clients they have. We just had one hospice that stopped taking clients because they didn't have enough staff. We have an aide shortage where I live. If Mom needs more help, she may need to pay for it. Call your County Office of aging and see what resources they offer. Meals on wheels...only Dad would qualify. Mom would need to show need. Again, in my area, not enough drivers.

I saw these people delivering in my daughters complex.

https://www.momsmeals.com/

Hospice organizations will also provide respite care. Usually a volunteer to stay with the patient while the caregiver gets a break to get out of the house for shopping etc. Usually about two hours. Keep in mind the volunteer is not a nurse or certified for care but provides eyes on and companionship for the patient. I did this for a few years as a hospice volunteer. It’s really a great help to folks.

My aunt gets daily bath, Weekly nurse visit to refill her meds. Regular visit by RN.
They provide all medical equipment.. Supplies. They will bring ensure if needed.
As Polar mentioned, they are not all the same.
My cousin couldn’t get MOW for her parents as it wasn’t offered in their rural area. Cousin became a volunteer and would take her mom who had Parkinson’s with her on the deliveries. Instead of daily hot meals, it was frozen meals for a week. She then took both parents to a senior center for lunch each day. During covid, she was able to pick up meals for them. When her family had covid, she was still able to get meals. It really helped her out.
Check with your parents senior center and see what options they have. Like the hospice, they are not all the same. Also check with their local Area Agency on Aging to see what services might be available.
A regular housekeeper can be a real blessing even if it’s just once a month. Also make sure you understand the hospice respite service.

Have you talked to your dad's hospice provider to ask for a list of services they provide? Hospice providers vary in what services they provide and how good they are.

You can also check around for other hospice providers and compare. If you want to change provider, you can.