VITAS Healthcare

jodypayne

We signed up with Vitas after a bad experience with another hospice. With the previous company, my father was not only treated with a lack of respect, his painful symptoms were disregarded. It was hard to make a switch, but we are so glad we did. I was present on Marilyn’s first day and her last with my dad, and many in between. She was amazing in every respect. She immediately deduced that his abdominal pain was due to a urinary tract blockage and catheterized him on the spot. She took excellent care of him at every visit and gave him all the time he needed. We know he was in pain, but she did everything possible to minimize his suffering. What really made her stand out to our family was her genuine compassion and concern for my dad (and my mom too). She always spoke directly to him, treated him as the intelligent adult that he was in his prime, and was so kind to him. He went from not wanting a nurse to asking when Marilyn would be there. She honored his dignity and his privacy which was so important to him. Marilyn also texted the whole family regularly to keep us in the loop. She followed through promptly for medicines, medical equipment, supplies, and other details. During an uncertain time, Marilyn guided us and helped us prepare for my dad’s passing. Everyone my family interacted with at Vitas was wonderful. I know my dad liked Robert, who gave him baths. We appreciate everyone at your company who helped us, including the ambulance EMTs who showed up quickly when my dad fell and cut his head. Vitas, and Marilyn specifically, made my dad’s last days happier and more comfortable that we ever anticipated. Thank you so much.

jmsinrb

My Mother was put on Hospice this Wed. I didn't know what her wishes were of staying home or to a facility til Thurs.I interviewed 2 agencies in the afternoon and after meeting w/ Amy, we knew we wanted to go with Vitas. Within a few hours they had sent their team to care for my mother. My mother passed away the next day, but they had the most amazing, loving, kind, patient, and skilled group of women (Amy, Kim, Pat, Yulie, Chris, Ming and Natalie).Thank you for all your support!

Provider Response

dissapointedwithvitas

The disorganization and miscommunication within this hospice are deplorable. Their left hand does not know what their right hand is doing. There is no degree of coordination among the "team". The nurses rush out, and do not leave clear and understandable information for the patient. They claim to provide volunteer services, but only put patients on a waiting list. My patient received a volunteer once in 1.5 months. The patient was told they did not have enough volunteers and would have to wait on the list. Vitas claims to stay in contact and coordinate care with families. They will not call with updates. They claim it to be a part of their service, In reality, you are provided a number, to call a series of phone numbers, which eventually takes you in a complete circle. I have no idea why they even mention providing emotional support. That equates to one visit from a Chaplin. The patients Social worker is nearly unreachable. The pain management is non-existent. While again claimed to be part of their service, The Patient, six months terminal, two months into the VITAS program and has yet to visited by a palliative care physician. Vitas provides the is the minimum requirement of care, while somehow continuing to operate. Vitas is very difficult to communicate, or cooperate with, due to the gross disorganization. I am looking elsewhere for Hospice services, I suggest others look elsewhere as well.

Provider Response

P&T

I am writing to share my experience with the services my mother received from the most wonderful, most caring group of angels from the first time the nurse came out until she passed on. Everything that was discussed was provided and then some. Everyone from the RN and Aide that came out several times a week, the chaplain social worker and Physician that came to my house multiple times and spent quality time with the rest of my siblings who all had come in from out of town, to the wonderful most caring group of LVNs on the continuous care team who were there for us at the very end when my mother needed the extra care. It is a shame that a few experiences try to ruin the reputation of a company that provided exceptional services not only to me personally when my mother required the care but to so many friends who have have the good fortune to have Vitas be there for their loved ones at the end of their life. I highly recommend Vitas to anyone who is looking for compassionate quality staff to care for your loved one at the end of their life.

post2lulu

I am sorry to have to give a bad review of Vitas, but they really did a horrible job with my family prior to and at the time of my father's death. Their communication was horrible with the family, every time we called, it was someone different and it seemed like No one ever was up to date on the my father's condition or plan of care. Their people were not empathetic nor particularly talented. When they came for the first visit, they thought they were seeing a woman, and my father's name was Harry!. It went downhill from there. Missed appointments, broken promises, and it was as if once we signed up, we were invisible. Dad died alone in his room at an extended care facility. It was the exact opposite of the experience we were wishing for. Horribly disappointing. They give hospice a bad name.

cellobasso

Our Mom passed last May and I have not had the time to write here. But I would like to express my deep gratitude for what we received from Vitas, especially from a wonderful nurse named Polly. Her heart is beyond what you could hope for. Her spirituality and open mind helped us immensely to go through that difficult journey. It would not have been the same without her. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your great spirit, compassion and genuine generosity! Cécilia