General Discussion

mucifer

(23,612 posts) Sun Jul 1, 2012, 11:11 AM Jul 2012

If the government wants to save Billions on health care costs they should

inform people and focus on educating doctors about the CHOICE people have to enroll their loved ones in hospice. Lots of families have no
clue that they might be able to go home from the hospital with their loved one and not watch them die in the Intensive Care Unit. Yes, it's not the best choice for everyone. It's not even a possibility for some. But, for the many many people who die with lots of tubes and tests and procedures that
don't make them more comfortable it could be so helpful.

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If the government wants to save Billions on health care costs they should (Original Post) mucifer Jul 2012 OP

People see it as "giving up" and betraying their parents and grandparents Warpy Jul 2012 #1

Many people in hospice die in emergency rooms or are pronounced by paramedics. Most aren't. But, mucifer Jul 2012 #2

Warpy

(111,437 posts)

1. People see it as "giving up" and betraying their parents and grandparents

Reply to mucifer (Original post)

Sun Jul 1, 2012, 11:23 AM

Jul 2012

even though a couple of recent studies have shown palliative care increases longevity as well as quality of life over heroics.

Another thing we're fighting with end of life care is extended family who know fuck all about what the people concerned actually want. They always swoop in at the last minute in hospitals, screaming about canceling advanced directives.

One of the things I found in my dad's papers was something he and my mother wrote up, typed out and signed back in the early 60s that spelled out very clearly what they wanted. I often wish I'd saved it, copied it, and sent it to the sourpusses in my own extended family since that's exactly what I did for both of them.

It takes a lot more strength to turn down heroics and opt for palliative care. Maybe as health care reform plays out, palliative care for people over 85 or so will become the default instead of the heroics we have now. That would be a positive change.

mucifer

(23,612 posts)

2. Many people in hospice die in emergency rooms or are pronounced by paramedics. Most aren't. But,

Reply to Warpy (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 1, 2012, 11:34 AM

Jul 2012

even the cost of the death in the ER is far less than extended ICU day weeks and sometimes months at end of life.
Some families find peace by calling 911 when the person stops breathing. CPR almost never works then. Cost aside
it usually means a lot to people to have the final days weeks and months at home and not in hospitals with painful
tests and tubes.

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