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Hurtbabygirl Asked August 2018

Parkinson’s, hospice, and dad is requesting SNF to give him exercise. How do I handle his request?

My 91-year-old dad has been in a SNF since February. The therapy team thought at the first they would be able to help him but he has digressed, had falls, etc. The nursing staff recommended hospice be called in, which after much thought, we decided this was the best route to go. Now my dad is insisting I get him back on therapy. He insists he is stronger now, although he is bed/wheelchair bound. With hospice, aggressive therapy cannot be used as they are trying to keep him as comfortable as possible instead of trying to “cure” him. Has anyone else dealt with this and if so how did you handle his requests? The hospice nurse said she is seeing a slow digression.

JoAnn29 Aug 2018
I think the problem here is he may no longer be able to use his legs. He needs to be able to stand for therapy. What he thinks he needs and what he can do is two different things.

Check out the Medicare site and see if he can have PT under hospice. If he can, ask for an evaluation from the therapy staff.

gladimhere Aug 2018
Aggressive therapy? Physical therapy coming in would not be life sustaining. It may very well help him to be more comfortable. Help to keep bedsores at bay? I do not see the harm.

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BarbBrooklyn Aug 2018
You can get PT while on Hospice. If the Hospice organization tells you otherwise, look it up on Medicare.gov and show them what it says.

Perhaps Dad isn't ready for hospice.

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