is it time for hospice

ronda b

My DH has VD and Alz. .he just got out of the hospital from a 4 day stay. he had a heart attack and a gi bleed. He refuses all surgeries. There are are blockages from carotids to his femoral arteries, including a abdominal anyarisum that has been worked on once. he has such a long hx cant even go into it. My question is it to early to call for hospice? he was terrible in the hospital and had 24 hr sitter. Here he slightly unstable but doesnt have the short term he had. He just sorta sits and wanders around the house, all new. Any thoughts?

Bowerbird

It is never really too early to call hospice when there are medical issues such as his. They would evaluate him and if they feel he qualifies, they will accept him and they will need to get the certification from his primary care physician or from the hospice medical director in order to begin the care. If they feel he does not qualify yet, they will reassess him later, either by your request if you feel he has declined since the first assessment or the company will call you to ask how he is and whether you feel he has declined.

I would suggest you do some research on the hospices in your area, as all are not equal. But know that hospice is not the same as 24 hour care. The various team members come a few times a week, not 24/7.

BPS

I agree with bowerbird it is not to early to have him evaluated.

jfkoc

Never too early …please interview more than one company…"extras" differ.

tonyac2

My DH is on hospice and so far they’ve been wonderful. He really enjoys the music therapy. They come on a biweekly basis and sing styles of music he likes. A chaplain visits on a regular basis and a nurse and home health aide come weekly.
It was a tough decision for me to make that I wrestled with for quite awhile. My DH does poorly in the hospital too and that repeated hospital stay was why I made the hospice decision. We’re focused on comfort care now and he seems to be doing well.

gailkk

I'm close to that point w/ my SO. I know from experience with my mother, they were a great source of support for her, me, and helped defray some of the expenses. They will do an evaluation, consult with your physician(s) and determine her eligibility. I encourage you to seek their support.

cb4jb

We just began hospice for my DH. We wondered if it was too soon, but his decline has been so rapid over the last few weeks, and he's fallen 3 times. We already had caregivers that he likes, but the added help of having a nurse assess regularly and supplies provided will definitely help. The professional bath aide is also a good addition since some of our crew are not strong enough for that. We have 4 grown children and 2 teen grandkids—they were all part of this decision and supportive. The nurse told me that it was better to call them "too soon" that last minute. The only hurdle is that it seems like "a lot of people traipsing through" to him, so he gets sulky about it sometimes. I'm hoping their suggestions will help him rest at night.

Scooterr

I agree with the majority, never to soon. DW is on hospice for a year now. I have to say it was the best decision I have made though our journey. She's mid stage 7 now and hospice for "us" has been great. They really have taken a lot of the burden off me. Where we live OK. hospice has a lot of leeway when it comes to meds. I was really surprised at the amount of meds they can order, not just comfort meds, but meds for bladder control, yeast infection and so on. The aids come in 3x a week and shower her which takes some hard work that I don't have to do.

ronda b

Thanks everyone. I did call hospice in and they accepted him. Yes so far they have been great. Just have to get use to the schedule.

tboard

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76159/is-it-time-for-hospice

Have his primary doctor have him evaluated for hospice. There are certain things they look for like weight loss and if they stop walking. My DH had VD and ALZ and is being evaluated for hospice this week because he stopped walking and can no longer stand. He is also loosing about a pound a week.