My father has been on hospice here in Florida for close to 2 1/2 months now. He is on hospice for congestive heart failure and his arteries are blocked (2 of them 80% blocked 1 of them 100% blocked. Too weak for catherization) he is also ESRF with kidney function at 15%. Problem is that no matter what my mom and I ask for, hospice says they won’t cover it. We asked for help with transportation to dialysis ( because he is completely bedridden) they say no, they don’t cover preventative medice. We ask for insulate, they say no it’s not related to his heart. We ask for refills on his nitroglycerin, they say no it’s not on list of discharge meds from hospital (even though he was not in need of nitro upon discharge cause he had plenty of pills left from refill).
My argument is that all his health issues stem from years of uncontrolled diabetics. And should be covered. They disagree. Can someone explain to me the difference between hospice and euthanasia? I feel they are getting fed up as my father is taking too long to die.
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noun
the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. The practice is illegal in most countries.
hos·pice
noun
a home providing care for the sick or terminally ill.
Although I'm not exactly sure about your situation, if your father has a DNR then they are not going to administer any drugs except those that will make him comfortable, ie., morphine. If he is close to end of life then there is no longer a need for dialysis, and it doesn't matter that he had years of undiagnosed diabetes or whatever. All that should matter is that he is as comfortable as possible.
Dialysis takes a lot out of a person. With all Dads health problems I really don't think it would have helped anyway.
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If dad wants the treatments and meds then hospice would be cancelled. Was hospice dad's decision? He may be just plain worn out and tired of fighting. Respect that and be there to support him.