Heritage Hospice, Inc.

Jim W

Hospice is a place where one should always be treated with dignity. At the very least, those who are awake and able to communicate. My mom lived 24 hours in the Marietta, GA facility. She was checked in during the early evening, after being transported by ambulance. And passed away the next evening around the same time. For much of the 24 hours she was alive, she was aware and able to communicate. And she wanted to be anywhere else. She was treated both coldly and aggressively. With a lack of respect. It made her feel scared. I watched my mom cry real tears when she said she didn't want to be in this facility. I was in the building. This occurred while I was not allowed access to her room. Upon intake, they required her family to stay in the waiting area. They first wanted to bathe her and put new clothes on her. This included requiring her to wear a diaper. Which she tried to protest. Something she had not been required to wear a diaper in three separate hospitalizations at Emory St. Joseph over the previous 30 days. She was able to communicate when she needed to go to the restroom. A diaper just made things easy and convenient for Heritage. I documented many examples of their callous behavior. And have a past hospice experience, with my father-in-law, to compare this to. Over a 30 day period of time, she was hospitalized three times at Emory St. Joseph. She always felt comfortable. The nurses and physicians, showered her with love and attention. When she checked out, each time, nurses went out of their way to come and say good-bye to her. Her family could not have asked for more. Heritage may have had six other patients in the entire facility. Most, if not all, appeared to be non-communicative. While every living being deserves respect, I believe this type of patient may be best suited for Heritage Hospice in Marietta. Maybe they're not fully aware of what's happening? For the sake of your loved ones, if they're close to requiring hospice, do your homework. I have apologized to my mom every night for how she was treated in her final 24 hours on this earth. I do find comfort in knowing she's now being treated far better in her forever home.

T.Turner

Don’t place your loved one at this deplorable place! My mother was supposed to be a respite patient for 5 days and ended up in the ER via ambulance once we rescued her after 2.5 days. They overdosed her with opioids! ER Dr. had to administer Narcan to a 92 year old! Nurse at Heritage told me they didn’t have the staff to look after her, as she was ambulatory! So, drug her up to keep her from getting out of bed? Well…she ended up attempting to rise from bed and fell twice! These people refuse to provide me medical records, as well. Been trying for over a month now. Hiring an attorney. STAY AWAY FROM HERITAGE HOSPICE IN MARIETTA, GA!

Kdmkcp

Do not ever put your loved one in this place they call hospice. It was horrible. We were yelled at for orders the minute we walked through their doors on the first day by the "army" nurse. Second day I had had enough and exchanged words with Mr. O . They have the most uncompassionate staff ever. The ones in the business office were nice to deal with but the nurses were horrible. Not once, did anyone ever sit us down and explain things such as what to expect towards the end of life. I feel so guilty now for having to leave my mom there but thankful she was only there for one week before she was called home to heaven. Always had to hunt the nurse down when my mother acted like she was in pain and then told, "she's fine, she's not hurting" or to please suction her as she sounded as if she was drowning. Always had to ask for sheets and towels as we took turns staying with her at night. This place needs to reevaluate their facility and employees as I will never ever recommend this place nor would I even put my dog there. Never, ever again!!!

Geneseo

My friend was there for 3 days. There were a total of 7 patients. The majority of the staff is very rude and absolutely no compassion. During their entire shift, he was only checked on twice. When asked if his arms could be dressed because of weeping, the nurse, Marilyn, became very agitated. Later that morning she was aske to please give him some medication. She argued and her response was “she didn’t hear him moaning or groaning” during her 2 second observation, Finally the medicine was administered, the whole point of hospice is to keep a dying patient comfortable, the family should not have to keep on them to give meds. Another employee was heard telling a patient to quit talking to her so she could get her work done. Horrible. These people are dying and need compassion. This staff needs to be replaced with caring, compassionate, nurses.

TSC123

My son is currently under home hospice and everyone has been so kind to my family. My son get the best care when the nurse comes to check him weekly he has an nurse aid come twice a week to help with bath. They are always polite and explain everything as they are checking everything. They are always on time and if they are running late they always call. Any questions I have they answers without hesitation and makes me feel comfortable with trusting them with my son. I recommend Heritage Hospice to any at home patient.

jf2

If you have no other choice but this place, make sure you have someone with your loved one 24/7. This was the worst hospice experience with no compassion or care. Asking for the simplest of care made you feel like such an inconvenience because you pushed the buzzer and needed something. My friend stated the best statement that if she was an outsider looking in, the place is run with the indifference of a morgue in which the occupants hadn't quite passed on yet, rather than a place with compassion to provide a peace and comfort during a difficult time. I will never erase the events and how it all unfolded of the death of my loved one. I will spare the details but feel very strongly that this place needs to be exposed for all that they lack in what they are supposed to be providing. If you have any other option....choose it over this place.