VITAS Healthcare

REBI

My mother was in vitas hospice. Their care was horrendous. The medication that mother received at high doses made her agitated and increased her risk of stroke. EIther they are too cheap or too ignorant about choice of medications. DO NOT put your trust in VITAS Fort Lauderdale

brookeweed

My husband had surgery and could not get out of bed for 1 1/2 years. They accepted his case and provided an aide 5 days a week until towards the end it was 7 days a week. The various nurses were mostly good, My team was 179. The Chaplain and Physician Dr. Nara and Eugenie my Aide were very good to us. They listened to all my problems and were very sympathetic. At the end the Chaplain was with me. The Social worker Patricia went out of her way to be of help, even when I was short on money, got a Podiatrist for my husband and got me a small grant to pay for it. I could not provide the care they gave us nor there 24 hour on call emergency number. They came when I was at my wits end at 9:00pm on a Sunday nite. So they were like angels and guided me through this awful process. The Chaplain even found me an Inexpensive Funeral Service. I can't recommend them enough.

MichelePort

My mother was in hospice with vitas for about 3 months. I was rarely called unless there was an issue. The nurse that was assigned to my mother was nice but I had a hard time understanding her accent. In the beginning of March I was unable to go and see my mother in the nursing home due to pandemic. On April 6 I received a call from the nursing home saying she was declining and that a vitas nurse was on the way to evaluate the situation when she came they were going to have 24hr bedside care but then there were no nurses available (apparently many called out) so she wanted to move my mother to a vitas care Center at first I said no because I didn't think she should be moved, but the nursing home was really not able to give my mother bedside care (because that's what vitas was hired for) and the evaluating nurse wasn't going to stay with her. So I said ok. They transported her sometime around midnight and when she arrived at the center she was not breathing and was gone 12:30 am. Who moves a dieing women in the middle of the night. The chaplain called me a few days later and wanted to send me a condolence card, never received anything. Now I'm still dealing with Medicaid so of course vitas can get paid.

RachelRae

Please do yourself a favor and hire SOMEONE ELSE. This agency was horrible. There was no communications between team members, a different nurse every time, no consistency. No one knew what the previous one had done. No one addressed any issues. It was a complete nightmare.

Anthony from Florida

Wish I could give 0 stars! What a nightmare this company is in Fort Lauderdale I would avoid them 100% and go with another company. the only person that was helpful with this group was Maria who was a nurse that was my main contact among many other phone numbers that I was told to contact them by. However Maria was the only one who answered my calls answered my concerns and helped me through a horrible 3 weeks of hospice care for my father. up until the day he was discharged from there hospice care and into my lap, she was very helpful. they do not transfer their patients to other hospice companies outside of the Vitas program. it is not their policy to assist you in helping a smooth transition to another hospice. I was told that once he is discharged he is my responsibility and it would be my responsibility to find another physician to authorize his hospice care when I take him out of their system. Discharge day was a nightmare as it was explained to the team that I wanted all the paperwork completed the prior day and I wanted medication enough for him for his travel and for a couple of weeks during his transition to be available for me when I came to pick him up. None of this was completed, the discharge paperwork, the nurse that arrived had no idea he was getting discharged and had no discharge paperwork on hand. And I explained to her to call her company to get it squared away and she did however it took 2 hours for them to find a discharge form and then I asked about the medication she knew nothing about the medication to order and unfortunately I had to leave with my father with no medication. once arriving to his new destination I called the new hospice company that we were transferring him to on our own without any help from Vitas and within an hour I had 15 days worth of medications and immediate help Once I arrived at his new facility. I apologize for such a harsh and negative evaluation and review of Vitas, but something needs to be done with this company what customer service and with patient care. Avoid them find someone else, or find Maria she will help you out without the help of the other team players of Vitas that are unable to connect with you as they are extremely busy in that area with close to 2,000 patients and insufficient staffed and inexperienced staffed and uncaring staff.

Him2852

The reason we chose VITAS Healthcare Fort Lauderdale was because I needed a place where Medicare covers the cost and not many do. They're helping getting my wife up, getting her dry because she's incontinent, getting her cleaned up, showered, and dressed. They help her get ready for the day. They don't feed her, so my son and I have to feed her. They only spend a very short time here, like about an hour, and they're spread pretty thin. The people who come here are usually large black women who speak very little English, and they're kind of hard. They send a different one every week, so I have to show them where everything is and how to operate all the equipment. It's very inconvenient for me. Not only that, but they show up at all different times of the day. I need them about the time my wife needs to get up and out of bed, she can't stay in bed all day. So I need these people between 10:00-11:00 in the morning. They sometimes make that and sometimes they don't. I would like the same person to be here every week, and I would like them to be here at a specified time. Not right at the button, I would give them an hour window. They're not complying with this, and I get a different person every time. Their communication is very poor, and they never call me to let me know when or if they're coming. It would be convenient for me if they would call me at least a day before to let me know who's coming and when they're going to be here. I've asked them to do that but they don't.

Provider Response

wjaakson

Vitas was a gift. I can not express how amazing this group of people are.. My mother was a patient for her last few months and I was the primary care giver., team 151 held my hand through the most difficult time of my life and I am forever thankful for each and every one of them.. the world is a better place because of them.

TLH

If there were 10 stars they would get them!!! Vitas has the most understanding, reliable, outgoing, kind, and above and beyond staff we have ever experienced. The care that was given to our sister whose days were limited was amazing and incredible. Hands down they all deserve such great recognition for the service that they give out. Thank-you ladies.... wish the world were all like you! ; )

Provider Response

Praise God!

Vitas was incredibly helpful to our dear mom during a very difficult and stressful time for both her and us. They. The nurses were especially kind and loving. and treated her with great care and respect. Their care allowed her to stay in her assisted living facility until she passed away which is where she was most comfortable and content. The staff was truly a blessing to our family.

Provider Response

Kinderk7

Our experience with Vitas Hospice care was aweful. As my mom was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer with her rapid decline at home, Vitas was not at all supportive emotionally for our family. As for what our mom needed, we communicated quite often regarding the constant changes that mom was experiencing. Our concerns were always played down. After evaluating her on several occasions, all they did was prescribe more and more medication. Eventually, she was drowning in her meds. They wouldn't IV her meds and we continuously relayed our concerns. When her breathing patterns changed, she was again reevaluated and finally was recommended that she have 24 hr care. Well, 5 hours later as she took her last breath, the nurse knocked at the door. We have had other Hospice experiences outside of Vitas within my family on Long Island and it was in no way like this. It's troubling and sad that our mom had to pass in distress and without the proper medical supervision. It's not the way it's supposed to be. I wish I could rate this with zero stars.

Provider Response

lavenderfred

My beautiful mom spent her final days here. She was treated with extreme kindness and received superb care. I have the highest regard for the staff who showed patience and respect even during trying times. Very special people work here including the chaplin and the rabbi. My thanks to all, especially Inez.

Leslie Uncapher

We received both outpatient and inpatient care at Vitas. Our experience with both was, for the most part, a positive one. although at that time there should not have been any problems, there were a few, but any problems that did arise, were handled professionally. The nursing care was good, and Dr. Boulton was exceptional!