I hope this is ok for GD: Hospice question (kinda urgent)

[jsamuel]

I don't know anything about Hospice and my father-in-law is very sick.

Could someone tell me if Arkansas or Texas would be better for hospice? Either one is fine, but I have no idea how the laws work dealing with that. Any other general advice would also be much appreciated.

[pitohui]

1. i'm gonna give you a bump

i don't know the answer to your question, but i'll bump you so more people can see

as a random factoid, my grandmother's wishes to go without unnecessary crap were honored in a tennessee hospice so if texas and arkansas don't give you the answers you like, i guess it's worth a try

but my real purpose is to bump you up so you can be where he can pass in peace w. his family around him

[jsamuel]

3. thank you

[seemunkee]

2. Texas has a horrible law for handling futile care cases

One DUer here had an awful experience with her sister. Not sure how this would impact hospice care but it would make me leery of any end of life care in that state.

Best of luck in dealing with your FIL.

[jsamuel]

6. He has DO NOT RESUSCITATE, so that isn't an issue

[NMDemDist2]

4. so sorry about your FiL

hospice is wonderful and they are all over the country IIRC

the whole point of hospice is so he can stay at home in his final days.

where's his home?

[jsamuel]

Florida, but his daughters are in Texas and Arkansas

He doesn't really have a "home" in Florida, just where he has been living the last few months, so he is fine with moving out here.

[Vidar]

5. Wonderful organization, but I'm only familiar with the Michigan variant.

[pitohui]

8. nothing wrong w. giving a bump tho

folks, like the michigan guy, give a bump until the OP hears from the states he or she needs to hear from

[Warpy]

7. Hospice care is about the same everywhere

and is dedicated to keeping a person comfortable, not prolonging life. Both states you cited are southern and likelier to have fundies nosing around, but hospice care is covered by a pretty good body of law everywhere.

Just make sure there is a living will and that your FIL has someone appointed power of attorney for healthcare decisions. That combination has been ironclad no matter where it has been used.

My mother was on hospice care in Florida and they were wonderful.

[jsamuel]

11. power of attorney and living will done, thanks

[Gloria]

9. The doctor is the one who has to declare a patient ready to go

to hospice.

The doctor's office should be able to guide you through in terms of getting a bed. My neighbor here in Las Cruces, NM just passed away in hospice. There was a surprising amount of paperwork to go through. However, Medicare should pick up most of the hospice costs.

There is also hospice care in the home that is usually available depending on the sort of care the person is getting at the time.

Hope this helps.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. Hospice is less a place to go to die than a form of care.

Both of my parents were in hospice care for a few hours before they died -- and both died in a hospital. In my mother's case, and which was last December, the intake worker came in and we signed the forms. After a bit, they turned off the life-support stuff so she could die in peace. They also sent out a clergyman to be with us when she died. He was a Jewish rabbi, we are Catholic -- but his presence was a comforting one. They also offer grief counseling after the fact.

In other cases that I know of, people receive hospice care at home. This usually means that a hospice nurse comes to visit the patient several times a week to make certain that the person is comfortable and doesn't need an adjustment in medication.

I hope this helps.

On edit: The physician typically suggests that the patient enter into hospice care. The hospital usually has an affiliated hospice.

[silverlib]

12. I have never heard of bad hospice care in Austin

I know of five hospice cases, three were paid by insurance and two were through indigent/medicaid/medicare and all were superior.

My best to you -

[jsamuel]

15. great, San Antonio would be where he would go

[moc]

21. My best friend received excellent hospice care in San Antonio.

I'm sorry that I don't know more about how it was arranged.

Condolences on your FIL.

[Junkdrawer]

13. Find a head nurse and ask about the hospice options if the doctor...

is too busy.

[MamaBear]

14. I think hospice care varies a lot by locality

I only have direct experience with Central Florida. The service we had for my dad was 24 hour nursing service at the home for the last few days. It was a great blessing to be able to be with him in his final hours uninterrupted by hospital routine, and where my mom could eat as she chose and get a bit of rest in her own bed.

I'm sorry I don't have the specific information you want, but I offer you and your family my thoughts and support. :hug:

[jsamuel]

17. thank you

:hug:

[msongs]

16. our recent experience w/my father. ->

hospice group took over care and medication, came in for support services, helped with household and personal cleanliness, legal matters (although we had all that covered), regular doctors just consulted. there were no ambulance calls, no resuscitation, agreement that nature would take its course no matter how scary it became. At the time of death, the hospice doctor was there, just happened to be there actually. It was very helpful to have him there.

most hospices services are covered by medicare, actually, unless they are extremely expensive. to be blunt, hospice costs are much less than hospitalization or similar services.

we had a "private" health plan hospice but imagine others are similar.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[jsamuel]

18. sorry to hear about your father as well

that sounds like what he wants

[Rosemary2205]

19. We put my mom in hospice.

My mom was staying with me and I got help choosing a facility from her primary care doctor's office back in the days before internet. When my dad went to hospice a few years ago it was from a nursing home and their social worker handled most of the process. Hospital clergy and social workers can also help.

If you are on your own....You can also now check out medicare/medicaid approved hospice ratings on the Medicare website. They are also listed by state on Healthgrades.com. You might also contact a community based senior center in the area you are considering to see if they can put you in touch with the pros in that locale that know different hospices. Also, since states license hospice you can check with them for information. In my state it's the Dept of Human Resources but a nearby state handles it in the Secretary of State's office.

[jsamuel]

20. Thank You ALL - This gives me a great start!

[pinto]

22. Locking.

Here's a link to "HelpGuide-Hospice Referrals". There's lots of good information here and hopefully some leads for your Father in Law. Take care.

http://www.helpguide.org/elder/hospice_care.htm#locatinghospiceservices