Your opinion of/ experiences with hospice care?

[depotoo]

i have no experience with it but you are all in our prayers. bless you for caring so much.

[SouthernWx]

I placed aunt Millie in hospice care this afternoon, and the many positive comments posted on this and several other forums gave me reassurance that my decision is the correct one.

Sadly, my great aunt isn't doing well this evening....she suffered two falls during the past 24 hours (fortunately no fractures) and was semi-conscious when my grandmother and I came home to rest. I humbly thank each of you for the thoughts and prayers on behalf of my great aunt, family, and myself; and for the kind words of support.

I also want to convey my deepest apologies to everyone at Storm2k for a misunderstanding regarding comments I posted on another forum several days ago. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for all of the wonderful members, staff, and administration of Storm2k. Your friendship, kindness, words of support, and prayers during this very difficult time mean so very much to my family and I.

May God bless each of you
Perry

[DaylilyDawn]

Perry
I will be praying for your aunt that she will have no more falls.

[george_r_1961]

I would recommend hospice care. My friend had it when he was dying of liver cancer and his last weeks at home were comfortable, with the emphasis being on pain and symptom relief rather than trying to cure an incurable disease. He passed quietly in his sleep in the pre dawn hours one Sunday morning; the hospice took care of notifying the doctor to sign the death certificate and notifying the funeral home, eliminating the need for the police, the rescue squad, and the coroner to come to the home. The patients comfort is the ONLY concern with the hospice team..along with the familys well being of course.

[timNms]

Perry,

My mom suffers from COPD along with other problems. She has been receiving hospice care for the past couple of years. They have been wonderful to her.

[SouthernWx]

Thanks everyone!

Aunt Millie's doctor faxed orders for starting hospice care to the nursing home on Wednesday morning, but unfortunately we haven't been contacted yet (aunt Millie still being cared for by nursing center staff only); which is very aggravating since they still attempt to carry her to physcial therapy (a terminally ill woman who is much too weak to even stand) and overworked nurses who allow her to sit/ sleep (while sedated) for hours in a wheelchair in the hallway INSTEAD of being comfortable in her bed (a blind, dying women who becomes confused and panicked upon awakening strapped in a wheelchair not knowing where on earth she is). Needless to say, neither I nor my family is very happy with the current situation.

(according to the nursing home social services director, we'll hopefully have full hospice services in place for aunt Millie at the nursing home by Monday; if not, I plan to begin looking for another nursing facility; possibly a hospice itself).

FYI Tim....it's good to see you posting again. My email is now southernwx@yahoo.com