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Most families who care for a loved one with advanced Alzheimer’s disease ultimately opt for institutionalized patient care as the disease progresses. While many patients ca...
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In previous articles, I have discussed challenging behaviors in Alzheimer's disease, such as wandering, that cause families distress and result in the patient being institu...
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Hospice is truly about providing a peaceful life closure, usually in the home setting. It sounds like your mother has been through quite a lot. And, often times the hospi...
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Talking openly and honestly about end-of-life concerns can be difficult even for close families. The inevitably of the situation can make “finding the right words” impossi...
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Your grandmother has been diagnosed with two diseases that affect both her heart and her lungs. Both conditions are using up her energy by making breathing, which we take ...
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The Hospice Benefit requires that patients have a prognosis, or life expectancy, of 6 months or less as determined by their doctor. This is really an end-of-life benefit w...
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Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming—especially when there seems to be no relief from the day-in, day-out role of providing for another person. But, let’s stand back...
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Care giving can be a daunting experience, especially is you have young children who require your attention as well. And, it sounds like you and your siblings are trying to...
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First, your mom is under the care of her primary physician. He or she is the one to consult regarding a referral to hospice. From your description, your mom would benefit...
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You are to be commended for caring for your mom for as long as you did. But, I would not feel bad for placing her in a nursing and think they may have made her “Alzheimer’...
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It’s hard to know what is going on with your step-mom because you did not state her diagnosis. But, one thing is clear—families are distressed when their loved ones no lon...
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Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult, and most rewarding, jobs you may ever have. It takes a very special person to do what you are doing, so first let’s realize...
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It certainly seems like you have your hands full! Caring for your mom, as well as your dad, would be overwhelming for anyone. I am not sure you can find a hospice near yo...
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Living with dementia can be very difficult for families. You want to do everything you can for your mom, but accepting her decline—which is part of the disease process—can...
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Sometimes people, like your father, who are facing a life-limiting disease appear to be “giving up” when the family sees a decline. Realize that your father has gone throu...
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I am assuming you placed your mother in the nursing home because you could no longer care for her at home. Possibly, she was living in her own home, and now needs more ass...
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This is a situation in which communication with the Case Manager would be helpful. Call the hospice treating your mother and speak to the Case Manager or the Social Worker...
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I am sorry to hear that your sister suffered. From you discription, I believe your sister received what we call "palliative controlled sedation" in the hospital. This is ...
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Patients do not have to be a “do not resuscitate” to elect hospice services. They can still be a “full code”. Generally, patients and their families come to understand th...
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COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, develops over time and includes several diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. As the disease progresses, the pati...
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Indwelling catheters are an option when the patient is unable to ambulate to the bathroom, or is currently wearing briefs. This is an invasive treatment, requires a physic...
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Thank you for asking this question. It allows me to clarify what our goals are when a patient comes onto our service.
First, it is important to understand that hospice ca...
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You should consider hospice when your husband, 1) has completed all his therapies, such as radiation, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, or other therapies and, 2) when hi...
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From your description, it sounds like your mother could use some support from you. It is not the normal “follow up” for any hospice to keep in contact with the family of t...
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I would suggest you contact the hospice that is caring for your sister, directly, and explain your concerns. As a family member you may be able to talk to the caregivers y...
