Hospice Care?

afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Anyone knowledgable of hospice care? The case worker at the hospital told me today that I should check with the doc about signing up. I thought it was used only for the end time? She said no and advised if we go through Home Health Care they are more restrictive regarding him taking trips, etc., (Lord willing if he ever is strong enough again). Any thoughts or answers on this?

Comments

  • melody36911
    melody36911 Member Posts: 12
    #2
    I did not know about Hospice until it was recommended that we place my father under Hospice's care. A patient may be placed under Hospice care when it is believed that he/she may only have 6 months left of life. But, Hospice is quick to tell you that noone really knows when that is going to happen as only God knows. Our Hospice nurse told many stories of patients getting better and being released from Hospice care. Personally, I found Hospice to be a blessing to my father and to my family. They specialize in pain control and had my father pain-free in no time. They understand more about dosing and pain control. They also do not have to comply with the same guidelines that hospitals do concerning medicine and such. The Hospice nurses bring all the medication that they anticipate may be needed so that when a certain medication is needed the medicine will be on hand. Hospice bills your insurance for their services and what insurance doesn't pay, they write off. Our Hospice nurses were wonderful and concerned about not only the patient's well-being but the family's as well. The nurses are on-call 24 hrs a day and would come out as often as needed. Hospice also sent personal care workers out to bathe him everyday. I am not sure what condition your father is in, but I know how taxing it is to care for someone who is sick and to have this type of help was wonderful.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #3
    melody36911 said:

    I did not know about Hospice until it was recommended that we place my father under Hospice's care. A patient may be placed under Hospice care when it is believed that he/she may only have 6 months left of life. But, Hospice is quick to tell you that noone really knows when that is going to happen as only God knows. Our Hospice nurse told many stories of patients getting better and being released from Hospice care. Personally, I found Hospice to be a blessing to my father and to my family. They specialize in pain control and had my father pain-free in no time. They understand more about dosing and pain control. They also do not have to comply with the same guidelines that hospitals do concerning medicine and such. The Hospice nurses bring all the medication that they anticipate may be needed so that when a certain medication is needed the medicine will be on hand. Hospice bills your insurance for their services and what insurance doesn't pay, they write off. Our Hospice nurses were wonderful and concerned about not only the patient's well-being but the family's as well. The nurses are on-call 24 hrs a day and would come out as often as needed. Hospice also sent personal care workers out to bathe him everyday. I am not sure what condition your father is in, but I know how taxing it is to care for someone who is sick and to have this type of help was wonderful.

    indy -

    Melody is correct, hospice helps not only the patient but also the caregiver and the family. People do "graduate" out of hospice. It is a real blessing and I encourage you to consider it as a possible option for Ron's care - and your care, too.

    Keeping you guys in my prayers. From the road (Columbus, OH heading into Infy today, in fact),

    - SpongeBob
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #4
    spongebob said:

    indy -

    Melody is correct, hospice helps not only the patient but also the caregiver and the family. People do "graduate" out of hospice. It is a real blessing and I encourage you to consider it as a possible option for Ron's care - and your care, too.

    Keeping you guys in my prayers. From the road (Columbus, OH heading into Infy today, in fact),

    - SpongeBob

    Thank you so much. I'll check into it.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #5
    melody36911 said:

    I did not know about Hospice until it was recommended that we place my father under Hospice's care. A patient may be placed under Hospice care when it is believed that he/she may only have 6 months left of life. But, Hospice is quick to tell you that noone really knows when that is going to happen as only God knows. Our Hospice nurse told many stories of patients getting better and being released from Hospice care. Personally, I found Hospice to be a blessing to my father and to my family. They specialize in pain control and had my father pain-free in no time. They understand more about dosing and pain control. They also do not have to comply with the same guidelines that hospitals do concerning medicine and such. The Hospice nurses bring all the medication that they anticipate may be needed so that when a certain medication is needed the medicine will be on hand. Hospice bills your insurance for their services and what insurance doesn't pay, they write off. Our Hospice nurses were wonderful and concerned about not only the patient's well-being but the family's as well. The nurses are on-call 24 hrs a day and would come out as often as needed. Hospice also sent personal care workers out to bathe him everyday. I am not sure what condition your father is in, but I know how taxing it is to care for someone who is sick and to have this type of help was wonderful.

    Thanks, Melody. Apparently, I was misinformed as to what Hospice is all about. I'll talk with the doctor. I suppose that is the one to advise if you need it?
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    Lois,
    I have a dear friend who is a Hospice nurse. She LOVES her families! When she first started, I asked her about the whole end-of-life thing. She said yes, she IS there to make that easier, too....BUT that anyone with a serious, longterm illness can be eligible. She has had numerous patients 'graduate', as spongebob put it.

    It is for the patient, but is really whole family care, she said. Families, the main caregivers, can be overwhelmed by the whole thing. She provides a calm, strong support, and give you 'angels with wings', our caregivers, a break!

    Hugs to you and hubby!

    Kathi
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #7
    KathiM said:

    Lois,
    I have a dear friend who is a Hospice nurse. She LOVES her families! When she first started, I asked her about the whole end-of-life thing. She said yes, she IS there to make that easier, too....BUT that anyone with a serious, longterm illness can be eligible. She has had numerous patients 'graduate', as spongebob put it.

    It is for the patient, but is really whole family care, she said. Families, the main caregivers, can be overwhelmed by the whole thing. She provides a calm, strong support, and give you 'angels with wings', our caregivers, a break!

    Hugs to you and hubby!

    Kathi

    Just to let you know once you start Hospice you cant not receive chemo ever again. They are very helpful and as a caretaker you will need all the help you can get, emotionally and in taking care of your loved one. I advise you get it. We got it to late for my dad and my mom and dad suffered unecisarily for two months. Mindy
  • suezav
    suezav Member Posts: 42
    #8
    mindy10 said:

    Just to let you know once you start Hospice you cant not receive chemo ever again. They are very helpful and as a caretaker you will need all the help you can get, emotionally and in taking care of your loved one. I advise you get it. We got it to late for my dad and my mom and dad suffered unecisarily for two months. Mindy

    mindy is correct about receiving chemo while you are on hospice. i work for a visiting nurse agency with a highly regarded hospice program. to be eligible, you can no longer be undergoing any type of treatment. it's for patients who have exhausted all their treatment options or have decided not to pursue more treatment. we also have a palliative care program with is sort of "pre hospice." you can continue to have chemo with this. you and your husband are in my prayers. susan
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #9
    KathiM said:

    Lois,
    I have a dear friend who is a Hospice nurse. She LOVES her families! When she first started, I asked her about the whole end-of-life thing. She said yes, she IS there to make that easier, too....BUT that anyone with a serious, longterm illness can be eligible. She has had numerous patients 'graduate', as spongebob put it.

    It is for the patient, but is really whole family care, she said. Families, the main caregivers, can be overwhelmed by the whole thing. She provides a calm, strong support, and give you 'angels with wings', our caregivers, a break!

    Hugs to you and hubby!

    Kathi

    Thanks, Kathi. The more info I have, the better. Not only am I totally uninformed, I'm beginning to wear down - emotionally, I'm drained.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #10
    melody36911 said:

    I did not know about Hospice until it was recommended that we place my father under Hospice's care. A patient may be placed under Hospice care when it is believed that he/she may only have 6 months left of life. But, Hospice is quick to tell you that noone really knows when that is going to happen as only God knows. Our Hospice nurse told many stories of patients getting better and being released from Hospice care. Personally, I found Hospice to be a blessing to my father and to my family. They specialize in pain control and had my father pain-free in no time. They understand more about dosing and pain control. They also do not have to comply with the same guidelines that hospitals do concerning medicine and such. The Hospice nurses bring all the medication that they anticipate may be needed so that when a certain medication is needed the medicine will be on hand. Hospice bills your insurance for their services and what insurance doesn't pay, they write off. Our Hospice nurses were wonderful and concerned about not only the patient's well-being but the family's as well. The nurses are on-call 24 hrs a day and would come out as often as needed. Hospice also sent personal care workers out to bathe him everyday. I am not sure what condition your father is in, but I know how taxing it is to care for someone who is sick and to have this type of help was wonderful.

    Thanks, Melody, for your response and advice. I need all the help I can get.
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #11
    Lois,

    I am sorry that things are difficult right now. Please take care of yourself. Two of my good friends are caretakers so I have an idea of how stressful things can be on your end. Please know that we are here for you as well as your husband.

    Hugs,

    Kay

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