Community Hospice & Palliative Care

Such a disappointment

Not very attentive. I have regretfully experienced hospice care with more than one loved family member. The lack of attention, care, sympathy and support was mind blowing. It felt like they just threw you out and expected you to know exactly what to do. No 24 hour care provided even when their patient was showing signs their moment was soon approaching. Not a single nurse was ever in tune with family or their patient.

cmski

I thought Hospice Palliative Care was a good thing, until now. I am the daughter of an 81 year old Alzheimer Mom. She lives with me and has been going to a day program 5 days a week. She has no major issues besides Alzheimer's. I got Community because I thought I would get some relief. 1) Emergency call one night for rash from body wash they gave me resulted in a break out. RN stated that they hadn't had a problem with the wash before. RN: "I have a bad back & wasn't going to work this hard." She was going to cut back on her hours. Next time I would have to wait for a nurse from Jacksonville or Orange Park which would take longer. 2) Another Emergency call (Swollen ankles, can't walk) after given Trazodone by them: Nurse will call with ETA. RN: I am coming from Orange Park. ETA: 1.5 hours. Showed up 3 hours later. RN: Sorry I am late. 3) Lady to bathe mom came in my home with dirty shoes. Tracked mud through my house and didn't bother to help cleaning up. I had to ask her to remove her shoes because she kept spreading dirt as I was sweeping up her mess. 4) Rn came to help me get Mom into respite care at Baptist South. Tested negative for COVID that day. She said that I hadn't contacted the Social Worker. I explained to her that I didn't know who she was, had never even met her or spoken with her. The Social Worker that came at consultation way not my social worker. Rn stated that her social worker had gone to a locked unit day program and met my mom (without me knowing about it). Rn: "We told you to call us if you needed anything." Me: "Don't you think she should have called me before going to meet my mom?" 5) Her anxiety (severe itching) was off the charts. They were going to give me respite care starting on Friday. Hospice told me not to take anything to their Hospital unit (clothes, etc.), and to feed her because she would miss supper. I brought things anyway and fed her. I videoed her when I took her in the room. She was laughing, walking around and talking normal. She looked great. Rn: "I see you brought some of her things." Me: "I was told not to. I am sorry if it is against the rules." Rn: "This is her room it's good to have their things." Rn: "Has she eaten?" Me: "I was told to feed her because she would miss supper." Rn: "If she is hungry we have a trey." R: "What is going on with her?" Me: "Uncontrollable itching probably anxiety, and yeast infection." RN: "We will file her fingernails, find anxiety meds that work, and treat a yeast infection. I see you don't want to use the non-rinse body wash." Me: "No she had a allergy to it." Rn: "We've had a lot of people allergic to it". They never expected me to show up the next day. She was in a dark room unconscious. The Rn was hovering over her. I asked how long she had been asleep and they said since I dropped her off the day before. They had given her Morphine, Haldol, Seroquel & another dose of Morphine that morning. She had not eaten or drank anything since I left. No IV either. I explained to them that she was in for Palliative/Respite care NOT end of life. Me: "What has been done for the itching and yeast infection?" Rn: "There is nothing in the notes about any of that." After staying in the room, I was able to wake her by continuing to wash her face with cold water and push some fluids and food. The next day I went to get her and the had given her Hydroxyzine. She was passed out and was very wet. Once again, I washed her face to wake her & we brought her home. She was talking gibberish, but could walk with help. I have a video of it and there is a significant change from before. Next day she attended the day program & she was laughing, talking (still some gibberish) and even said my name. I revoked our contract with Community Hospice. Next day she was admitted to Flagler with COVID. Day 4 in Flagler I received a call on her room phone. "This is Palliative care for the hospital and we are checking on your mom. How is she?" Me: "She seems to be getting better." Caller: "We would like to come see her and evaluate her." Me: "Excuse me who are you with?" Caller: "Community Hospice. Me: I revoked our contract. " Caller: "I know I was hoping you'd give us another chance." Me: "You almost killed her. Don't ever call me again." There infractions and their mistruths are too numerous. I would give them a "0" if I could.

Disgusted, Disgusted and disappointed.

Let me start by saying initially things were going well when my Mother was admitted. Me rating one star does not relate to the sincere empathy and exceptional care received from nurses Ms.Meredith, Ms.LaKeyshia and Ms.. Adrian (ARNP) during the day. If I could rate them on an individual bases I would give them a solid 5 stars. To make this short as possible. Upon my initial meeting with the representative at the hospital was told that we would be able to visit two at a time once the transition took place we would be able to visit more unfortunately, that was not the case. I'm not sure if they did not expect a person to have someone with their relative 24 hours a day however, now they know it happens. One day we were told that we were NO longer able to stay in the family waiting area "because others had to use it." Note there was never anyone using it. However, we had to leave at 9pm. Next day I requested we not have the same nurse as the previous night. Fast forward to next day night shift all of a sudden we have to leave family waiting area at 8pm. Really? Which one is it 8 or 9 two visitors or 5? lm sure someone reading would think something had to happen in between the time from our initial conversation with first rep. I assure you weren't loud in anyway or caused a disturbance in anyway. It was times they did not know we were in the family room because they didn't hear us. This is already a difficult time and to be limited on when and how you see your family member is unacceptable......God forbid Someone would have to go through or We have to go through this again, I would NOT Recommend this company & I would opt to be in the comfort of home. Also, I fail to mention Ms. B would also get 5 stars. I am very disappointed & extremely livid.

Paul W,

My wife came home from hospital under Community Hospice care. She only survived 4 days before she passed, however during those 4 days Community Hospice was amazing. They insure my wife was comfortable and not in any pain. Not only did they take exceptional care of her but was very compassionate to me as sole caregiver. They followed up with me after my wifes passing and made sure I knew all resources available to me if I needed it. Wish I could give them more than 5 stars.

Marie

My mother had hospice through Community Hospice & Palliative Care. Their main office is on Sunbeam Road, but my mom was at the Baptist Medical Center South on Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville, Florida. I have had experiences with Community Hospice with my brother who passed away there six years ago on Sunbeam Road and my dad just passed away in July. So our family has preferred them. They provide amazing service and their facilities are amazing. We had the best nurse attendants and nurse practitioners, and they took such kind care of all of my family. They're all very professional and very kind. We couldn't ask for better care for my mom. They just kept her comfortable, they cleaned her, and they gave her the appropriate sedatives. The nurses were on top of all that, and they gave us a report on her vitals. They checked her vitals at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and if we had any questions, all we had to do was call. They were very good with reporting information. I would absolutely recommend them, and I'm not one that does this kind of thing all the time. I don't usually do what I'm doing now, but that's how much I trusted them.

Acceptance

MY sister was transferred to Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Our family met her there to support her and offer a prayer of comfort on her behalf. As we were standing around her bed very quietly, a physician, abruptly scold the family for being there in a very hateful and condescending tone; and made a negative comments about balloons that were transferred over with her from the hospital. I stood and watched tears rolled down her young grandchildren’s faces. They were broken hearted because they thought she would be coming home soon, but instead they received a phone call early Saturday morning from the hospital that her condition was declining. They love their grandmother and out of their emotional trauma and pain they rushed to her bedside at Hospice, unfortunately they were scolded by a physician who showed no compassion to their pain and didn't same to care.