Hospice Care

dvellio

We just entered my wife into the Hospice program on the 17th of November. So, I'm still learning about the process and what it offers. I thought this might be a good place to share our experiences about Hospice care. I'm sure that eventually each of us who are caregivers for someone who can't take care of themselves are going to have the opportunity to end up in this situation.
So far my experience has been excellent. We have been dealing with a pressure sore just below her tailbone since the 20th of October. Although we had trained wound care nurses tending to it for a month before we went into the Hospice program it seemed to be constantly getting worse not better. In the almost a month since we entered the Hospice program it has shown remarkable healing.
I was not really aware of how serious these pressure sores and bed sores could be. This one had gotten in a fairly advanced state before we even saw it because she's no longer able to tell us where things hurt and it was in a spot that's difficult to see. But being right below the tailbone and close to the spinal column there was some concern that if it had gotten much worse before we found it it would have involved her spine and that would not have been a good situation.
It took us almost two years to actually get her enrolled in this Hospice program. It turns out that you don't have to be on death's door to take advantage of this resource. And it provides assistance with incontinence materials medication and twenty-four seven nurse and doctor support.
I would certainly be interested and other people's experiences with Hospice.

mamamistra

I have been trying to find information about how to take advantage of hospice for my father who is 90, has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, lives with my mom who can no longer care for him.

dvellio

mamamistra

We got into Hospice because our doctor referred us to a Hospice organization in 2020. So perhaps the best way is to get his doctor to give you a referral. I've included a link below that can give you some general information about the Hospice program. The organization we're connected with is a nonprofit and I think that is a good thing. I recently read an article how about how for profit Hospice organizations operate and I believe a nonprofit is a better fit.
The way it worked for us was they came and did an evaluation and at the time provided some physical therapy, some occupational therapy, and some guidance. On that original visit she did not qualify for either Hospice or palliative care. However, they stayed in contact and almost two years later she did qualify for Hospice and we were enrolled in that program.
They provide doctor, nursing, bathing and other support. They also pay for all of her incontinence materials and her medications. That has been a great help both physically and financially.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care#:~:text=Hospice%20care%20focuses%20on%20the,not%20to%20undergo%20certain%20treatments.

MoniqueFrahm

dvellio Thank you for this information Don!

dvellio

I found this helpful.

I found this Ted Talk to be very helpful. It actually helps me understand some of what is going on with my wife at this moment in time.
Dr. Christopher Kerr has written a book “Death is but a Dream”. I haven't read it yet but I hope to.
The link below we'll take you to the Ted talk it is 17 minutes long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbnBe-vXGQM

dvellio

Hospice Information you may want to read.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/18/advocates-hope-jimmy-carters-endurance-in-hospice-care-drives-awareness-00142067

Azulhotdog

For sure I will read the Hospice information

dvellio

Some may find his helpful.

How does someone die from Dementia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VtRH7NzqF0

[deleted]

Hospice care offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach to end of life care, emphasizing comfort, dignity, and support for both patients and their families. To learn more about how you can prepare for this journey, coordinate care, and manage your grief, search for the "End of Life Care" toolkit on Trualta. Here you'll find articles, checklists, tipsheets, and conversation guides to support you along the way.

dvellio

DNR Information.

Here is a link to information about DNR’s for every state. Information about DNR’s varies from state to state.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/do-not-resuscitate-laws-by-states