Gilchrist Hospice Care

JennL

Our family was told how wonderful hospice was, but unfortunately that was not our experience with Gilchrist. My dad was receiving hospice care for two weeks when one night he was singing/interacting with his grandkids when my sister and mom noticed he was getting tired and his breathing became somewhat labored. The hospice nurse came in and said he needed morphine to control his respirations. Both my mom and sister expressed hesitations and concerns. However, in response, the nurse repeatedly stated how much experience she has had with hospice care, and that she has seen "all of this before." He was talked about like he was just another hospice case, rather than a person whose clinical history our family has expertise with. Overnight my dad kept getting his morphine increased. My dad never regained full consciousness, and he was dead two days later. Over those last two days, our family had frequent interactions and conversations with the hospice team, including a nurse supervisor. No one in our family felt heard or listened to. We wanted to stop the morphine to see if my dad bounced back, but the hospice folks told us we should be administering it every two hours, and attempted to shame us into administering it. One nurse insistently argued with my sister about the time of his last dose, even though my sister had spent the night with my dad and recorded every medication and time of administration. We were also promised a chest x-ray that never materialized. The Gilchrist hospice team repeatedly espoused how morphine "gets a bad rap," and we felt as if we were being bullied into continuing its administration. At one point the nurse supervisor said to me "is your dad's comfort not your main concern? Because maybe you should send him to the hospital then." I responded by asking "are you telling me our choices are morphine or the hospital? Because my understanding is that morphine administration is PRN and up to the family's discretion." Once again, during this conversation, my feelings and concerns were not being heard or supported. I just heard about her extensive hospice experience. The focus was on her and the team's experience, instead of my dad/family's wishes and feelings. From what I had heard, hospice's role was to support and guide us through my dad's end of life, but it turned out that 1) our voices and feelings were discounted/ignored, 2) we were strong-armed into adopting their beliefs, and 3) the experience quite possibly hastened my dad's passing. Moreover, no one from Gilchrist was there when my dad passed, and three days have gone by and no one from Gilchrist has reached out to my mother to offer their condolences. I'm sure that others have had a much different hospice experience, but please beware when it comes to Gilchrist.

Linda Ralph

My husband had Gilchrist Home Hospice for 1 year, then died at home. We were given help in setting up, they ordered supplies. Our nurse had many years experience, was very organized, friendly and helpful. The lady who came in to bathe, shampoo and shave him was reliable and gentle. We were very grateful!

Ellen1996

I was the caregiver of my sister's who was dying of pancreatic cancer. On her last days Gilcrest failed to help her 100 percent. They left her to die at home with no medications, no help and suffering. I called Gilcrest several times but no one would come out. They said a doctor would send in meds. I called several times and was told the Doctor is not answering his pages' text or calls. I called again and again to get my sister help but none came. Three hours after her passing I received a call saying her end of life medications were put into the pharmacy . My sister only asked one thing if Gilcrest when signing hospice contract and that was not to let her suffer in pain her last days. Gilcrest ont only failed to meet the contract but failed her to be humane. Money grabbing company with no concern for thir clients. I called several time to find out what went wrong and all I keep getting were excuses and run around. Do anyone. Gilcrest Hospice if you are for anyone. needing hospice. I waited nine month to write this hoping to find out what went wrong in order to help others in the future. Still no answer.

arh1919

This organization is hands down the best choice for hospice patients. Everyone was so caring. They made this very difficult period easier for my Dad and the family. I highly recommend them

John

I have been using Gilchrist Hospice Care for my wife. They have an RN that comes in once a week and they have aides that give her a shower and get her dressed. They're doing a good job. They come when they say they're coming and they give her good care. The nurse pays attention to everything including her medications and by checking her vital signs. They have had a chaplain visit and a social worker that comes once a week, too. It's all going through Medicare.

Victoria H

Cherish is one of the nurses who came to take care of my Dad Lefty K. for five very long months. She has more warmth than any other nurse or care person I have ever met. She is kind, and does her job to the fullest. Top ten in my book. My brother and doctor Lamos of Hunt Valley says the same. "No one like her, she should definitely get a raise, and an award for being the best person to represent your company. Victoria H. March 21st, 2018