Mom has a history of small strokes, that's why she has lived with me for the past four years. Last week mom showed stroke symptoms so we called Paramedics to take her to the hospital. The hospital ran some tests like a CT scan, which showed no evidence of stroke. Maybe she had a clot in her brain. The Dr said that there wasn't anything more that they could do for her, so come and take her home. He explained that they "could" do and MRI/MRA but why? They wouldn't do surgery anyway. Even if they gave Mom Plavix, they needed to do an MRA first. So, I opted for a Nursing home. She is there to rehab for two weeks. She has been there 9 days so far. The first time I visited her, she was sitting in her wheelchair and trying to talk. The second time I visited her she slept most of the time I was there. Lately she keeps her eyes closed most of the time, doesn't seem to hear when I talk to her. She sleeps more. She has lost five pounds. The Nursing home staff asked if I thought about Hospice. I called the Hospice and a nurse came out and did an assessment. Mom is appropriate for Hospice. Wow.. This means that Mom is really failing fast, and won't recover from this. My question is ... Is Hospice the right choice for Mom? How will she benefit from Hospice? I thought Hospice was for people that have terminal diseases like cancer... people that are facing their own death and need support and counseling? If Mom isn't aware of her surroundings, how will she benefit?
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Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing,
Carol
Pam for once I have to disagree with you. Roxanol (liquid morphine) is available for anyone who needs it - not just reserved for hospice patients.
Many COPD patients are greatly relieved with it's use when oxygen alone is not enough.
The main advantage over other forms of morphine is that it is liquid and can be given to any patient as it can be placed in the mouth and the small quantity is actually absorbed there when the patient can't swallow
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Your mom will benefit from proper pain management. Roxanol can be given now, which is not obtainable without Hospice in place.
You can benefit from hospice services, too. When my husband was under hospice care, I became eligible for the services of a hospice social worker. She was helpful to me toward the end of his live, and continued to visit me for a year after his death.
The end is near.
As the comments have emerged, I trust that you are observing that hospice is really a service for your whole family. Your mother is the primary patient, but the dying process puts stress on everyone, and good quality hospice will try to help the whole family system through the ordeal. Beyond the work of the nurses and CNAs, the social workers, chaplains, and volunteers can help you all with problems that "sneak up on you." Their familiarity with the process enables hospice personnel to offer partnership in meeting needs you otherwise might not even acknowledge. Please stay in touch with the hospice people as your mother engages this "great transition."
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