My 78 year old mother suffered a stroke in March followed by a broken hip in April and then entered a nursing home in which she has just laid down and given up on life. Her dementia is such that the doctor consider's her no longer able to conduct her own affiars. She refuses to get out of the bed or to do anything with PT. She's now sleeping more than usual, basically has to be helped to eat a meal, does not talk as much as usual and today I was not even sure she knew me and anyone else. I got the impression that she is withdrawing into herself.
To that end, I'm playing hookey today and sitting on a NYC beach, early in the morning.
My mother was on hospice care in a nursing home. Her room and board was already being paid for. We had no additional out-of-pocket charges for having her on hospice.
Youngestof3, I believe it is true that Medicare covers the "care" including drugs, equipment, visits, etc. but that the patient is responsible for room and board. Some hospice organizations may have some funds to help defray those costs if necessary.
I don't know if the Hospice organization that you mention is a for profit organization or not. You could call the main office of the organization and ask.
Hospice does not provide round the clock care and it sounds as though that's what your elder needs, that's what you are paying for. The alternative is to have family provide the care at home and have Hospice come in.
It's so hard to give a pat answer, because death is different for everyone, but common signs can include mental changes, such as seeing people who aren't there, changes in vital signs, diminished or stoppage of urine and fecal output, changes to breathing patterns, and skin color changes as circulation becomes diminished.
I hope this answers your question in some way.
steve
I will keep you and you Mom in my thoughts and prayers!
Take them out and see if there is a big change. It could be depression along with drugs. They drug them to keep them that way. Also they may not be happy where they are. NH - If I was put in one that is how I would feel, I would want to die. No family around and that would make me depressed
my mom was in a hellva pain that nobody could ever dream of . it was eating her alive . so by all means yes morphine killed her but she was nt hurting , and died in peace . bless her heart .....
As Txmaggie says, not all hospices are the same, either. So, when I support hospice, I am speaking from my own experience, which was similar to hers.
You did not say anything to offend me. But thanks for the condolences. My parents were ready to go, and finally died peacefully. You are the one now who is suffering, now. I'm sorry you are going through this. Know that our hearts are with you.
Carol
Fernando
When it became apparent that Mom was giving up, the nursing home staff strongly suggested that we get the hospice staff in to help. There are different hospice organizations. The one the NH used was awesome. They visited with the family and the nurses checked mom over very carefully. They asked what our wishes were. We wanted mom to be kept comfortable. They said they could do that but wanted us to be aware that sedation would probably shorten her remaining time because she wouldn't be eating or drinking as much. (She'd pretty much given up on that anyway). They said it was entirely OUR CHOICE. They said that sometimes sedation made it easier for the children to let go, as their loved one was much less agitated and restless. They said sometimes sedation made it more difficult on the family because of concerns that the person was being overmedicated. At no point did they ever "take a side", suggesting one over the other. They presented all the info, pros and cons, and left the final decision up to the family.
And yes, secretsister, they did a LOT more than the regular nursing home staff. Part of it was financial - they assumed all the costs of all special care. They provided mom with a really nice wheeling, padded, reclining chair, oxygen, meds, etc. Plus, their own providers would go in to help with Mom's bath, the nurses would make visits to check on her. Essentially it boiled down to a lot more personalized care, and extra eyes and hands keeping a watch and doing things for her. And it is NEVER selfish to get hospice for your loved one so you can also get the support. It is a very difficult time and why muddle your way through it alone? Not only that, but hospice organizations offer a year of grief support after your loved one passes, and it really was good to have their help over the holidays.
And yes, Bree, hospice accepts patients with dementia/alszheimers. Mom had hospice at home before she went into the nh and her working diagnosis was dementia. Talk to your doctor.
They only had the drugs they needed for pain relief - no more. There was a great deal of family support, kindness, and no "hurrying of the process." When they did die, it was peacefully, with family at their side. It took my mother three days for her heart to quit beating (she had been mottling and showing other death signs for days). No one hurried the process. I watched carefully for signs of distress, and if there were any, medication was given to comfort her. Finally, after those three days, she did die. We all have our time.
Carol
Fernando
Are they druging them so much that they die? I would really like to know. You can give them medication to stop any pain they have at home. I took care of my dad who died from cancer. He had the medication to help with the pain. So why don't they do that now. Why speed up the death. Is that what they do? Why did they make that remark when they came in to take care of my friend. I was told they do it in NH by someone who worked there.
Come on guys this is MURDER