It’s a 2 part system, their MD has to write orders for a Hospice consult to be done which in turn is given to a Hospice group who sends out a trained Hospice RN to do an evaluation. Hospice group will have a MD medical director but they are never on site in my experience.
The bigger Hospice groups (vitas, compasses, southern) can get equipment (beds, specialized mattress, Geri chairs) out & set up within hours. Smaller independent Hospice perhaps not. Remember Hospice is a Medicare paid benefit, so in theory it’s “self-directed”, so you can as dpoa select or even change the vendor providing Hospice.
Also if this is at-home Hospice and your elder is on back box warning, highly regulated drugs (like Fentanyl) ask if that is an issue.
The persons doctor can order hospice care if they judge the patient has 6 months or less to live. Ask the doc and/ or call a local hospice organization for an evaluation.
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The bigger Hospice groups (vitas, compasses, southern) can get equipment (beds, specialized mattress, Geri chairs) out & set up within hours. Smaller independent Hospice perhaps not. Remember Hospice is a Medicare paid benefit, so in theory it’s “self-directed”, so you can as dpoa select or even change the vendor providing Hospice.
Also if this is at-home Hospice and your elder is on back box warning, highly regulated drugs (like Fentanyl) ask if that is an issue.
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