Does anyone use Hospice?

I used it for both of my parents and our local hospice was amazing. I kind of got my parents back for awhile after their pain was better controlled, and their deaths were dignified and pain free. My family knows that hospice care is what I want under such circumstances.

Not all hospices are equal, but most are good and many amazing. If you have a choice, as for referrals.
Take care,
Carol

My mom was admitted to a hospice center directly from the hospital to live out the last week of her life. I had already heard good things about it from other friends. It was an absolute blessing. The knowledge those women had in the dying process helped me tremendously. I had sisters come in from out of town and they stayed at the facility the whole time. The facility had bathrooms in each room for the families, they provided pillows and mats for overnight, and a full kitchen for the family members to use. The nurses were angels and treated their patients with the upmost respect. My mom was even garbed in a real gown with satin or ribbons or lace as opposed to an old hospital gown. To this day, I remember the sincere heartfelt HUG I got from the nurse that confirmed my mom's passing. Maybe we are just lucky in this town to have this facility, but if I could make reservations for myself, I would.

my dad is on hospice care, and they are amazing. I have an aide that comes twice a week that shaves and showers my dad and the nurse comes twice a week to check vitals, answer any concerns I may have and makes sure he has his meds. they also provide pull ups (dad is incontinent) and bed mats.
I can get respite care for 5 days every 3 months and that really helps recharge my batteries, they also have volunteers that will come and sit so I can go to the store or Dr.s appointment but I haven't used that service. I can call on them any time day or night if dad is having an issue that is worrisome for me and they will come and check on him, I couldn't do it without them. so yes if you have a choice of hospice groups ask around for referrals.
Best of all medicare covers the cost and I never see a bill

When understanding that hospice is about HOPE, and honoring
patients’ choices about how they want to live their final days, about providing comfort and managing pain and symptoms associated with an illness, it makes sense to take advantage of the services hospice offers at the earliest appropriate time.

Yes, I've signed 3 people into 3 different hospice programs. All were wonderful. One used it for 1 week, 1 for 3 months and one for 6 1/2 months. In my opinion, the earlier the better. I agee with the other postings, find out if more than one serves your area and what it offers. Then consider your Mom's needs. The extra help is wonderful. All 3 of the ones I used offered an aide for 2 hours, 5 days a week. Great to get that help (even though one of my 3 was in assisted living!). They assess, arrange for equipment and meds, and (at least the ones I used) are only a phone call away 24 hours a day. God bless them all!

Definately check out a few in your area and if possible talk to people who have used the service. Hospice can be wonderful and having someone avaliable to you to help is very comforting. When my dad was sick we had a visiting nurse come and when he made the decision to stop fighting the nurse we had set us up with the hospice side of her organization. Having never done any of this we just went along with it. I had heard great stories about how much hospice helps and how comforting it is to have them there so we were happy to welcome them into the home to help us. The one we used was not like that, they seemed distant and really did nothing to help my mom through the process of losing her sole mate. We have no regrets though because luckily for us dad did not suffer and his end of life journey was short. Between myself and my brothers we were able to take care of dad so all hospice did was check him a few times a week. We were a little taken aback though when the nurse came the morning he passed away because there was no compassion for my mom or any of us, she came in, looked at him, checked his pulse and said yes he is gone, really we knew that already. She then sat at the table for an hour filling out paperwork and not once did she converse with any of us. The funeral director showed my mom more compassion and help than the hospice nurse did. If and when we ever need hospice again we will check out more than one. Hospice can be wonderful and for the family the right one can offer compassion and be an invaluable help to the family so make sure you are comfortable with whomever you chose.

Moonbeam, I just called them, the nurse came out and said my mom was eligible. But it might have to be approved by a doctor. My mom has late stage dementia, not a terminal illness, but she qualifies.

To get Hospice, there must be a referral from an MD. They are wonderful people who help you get through a difficult time.

Hospice is a good tool. My husband spent the last 13 days there. He was in the local hospice house which was lovely. It's too bad our loved ones can't stay there longer. Hospice is available in your home or at a facility, but I liked their own house best because there weren't as many people involved...I could stay as long as I wanted, come and go any time; it was a great relief. After months of pain, my husband was comfortable and well cared for. I certainly would recommend it.

My father was on hospice for about the last month of his life. He died at home peacefully January of this year. They were very knowledgable in the whole dying process and helped us throughout that time. A priest even came and prayed with my mother and gave my father his last rites.