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I live in Northern California and my father lives 500+ miles away in Southern California. Dad was hospitalized in February and we discovered he has acute renal failure and prostate cancer, among other issues. He was released to skilled nursing at the beginning of March and I haven't been able to see him since Mid-March because of the lockdown for Coronavirus. He had a catheter at the hospital and was told he would have it for the rest of his life, but it was removed at the SNF. They said it is an infection risk and they are monitoring his urine output. He has what appears to be painful or urgent urination and uses a handheld urinal and wear Depends also as a backup. He has been off and on an IV for hydration and on oxygen for shortness of breath. He has been having labs taken and he now has a level of anemia that would be considered for a blood transfusion, which would be futile. They want to move him into hospice care.


Would it be wise/unwise to move my father here for hospice? My concern is that it is a long distance for him to travel here, even using a medical transport, and there is the threat of Coronavirus due to a member of my household who works in the health care field.


Also, can you be given oxygen during hospice?



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You can get oxygen while on Hospice but he could not get IV for hydration.
And while the level of care is higher on Hospice, and there is another "set of eyes" watching and caring for someone at this time many Facilities are not even letting Hospice Nurses into the facility, they are using their staff to do the required medical check. And there is a good possibility that many of the CNA's are not allowed in either. If that is the case where you are/where he is bottom line is he would get better care in your home. If he were to go to a Facility near you he would get the same care he is currently getting (unless you happen to live in an area that is not quite as hard hit and the restrictions are not as strict. (although that might change)
In your home you could isolate your dad in a room that you have cleaned and sanitized. He would have to have a bathroom that only he would use. And you would have to follow strict protocol and this is a big AND...there is still no guarantee that your dad would not become infected from..where he is now, from the people transporting him to where you are, another household member. If that were to happen getting any type of flu now would probably kill him and this one in particular. That said there is no guarantee that he will not become infected where he is now.

There are no guarantees in life. Your dad is closer to the end of his life. The question is do you want to take the chance that he will be safe in your home or closer to you. If he gets contracts the virus where he is now or closer to you the result will be the same. I am sure you will feel guilt either way. (and in my opinion guilt is a feeling/emotion that WE give ourselves someone else can not "make" you feel guilty) So do what you think is right for you. And ask your dad what he wants. (almost forgot about that important detail!)
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VickieMills1974 Apr 2020
Thank you, Grandma1954 ~ a lot of food for thought and it does come down to what is best for him and what he wants.

I just got a first contact call from a hospice nurse that they would be releasing him today...yes today. Yet, I never heard ANYTHING from the nursing home ~ no one communicated with me at ALL! The hospice nurse was confirming my father's address and I told him no one was there ~ that his wife has dementia and is living in Central California with her daughter and I am 500 miles away. The hospice nurse had met with my dad and I believe my dad gave him all the information as he wants to get out of there. The hospice nurse is calling the doctor back so I believe I will be making arrangements to get him transported here. I can't believe it got that far with no one communicating with the family!
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Hospice will provide another layer of care for your dad including oxygen, bath aides, visits from an RN and pain meds to keep him comfortable. In some cases patients respond well to the extra care and graduate from hospice. They can be re enrolled at a later time if needed.

If you have medical POA for him talk to the hospice coordinator and get him enrolled.
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VickieMills1974 Apr 2020
Thank you, Windyridge ~ I had no idea hospice did all that. What a great service they provide! I will check with the hospital coordinator today as I am the POA.
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Thank you so much, Shane1124, for your reply and kind thoughts. Your reasoning makes sense to me and addresses some things I hadn't thought of. I am so relieved to know hospice provides oxygen ~ I didn't know if that support got cut off and that made me a little claustrophobic to even think of. He was supposed to have a doctor come in to assess him Friday. The doctor didn't come, but he said someone came and "jabbered" with him about services, so I'm thinking that may have been someone from hospice. He did seem less anxious and more upbeat after talking with that person than I had heard him be for awhile.

This is sure a difficult time for many. I appreciate having some clarify tonight on this issue ~ thank you again!
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I understand what a difficult situation you are in but I would not move him. Can he get hospice services where he is now?
He may not survive the transport.

With his illnesses he is already immunocompromised. His red blood cell count is low as well. This is so sad but I would keep him there.

Logistics alone of getting any ambulance today to transport him to you are unlikely.

I am sorry about your father. I hope you find comfort.

Yes hospice provides oxygen.
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