Follow
Share

Is there another way? Hospice says they don't do blood tests to check for infection and mom is in pain taking pain killer. Already finished antibiotic for UTI.

Find Care & Housing
I thought you could still receive care for things not related to your "terminal" diagnoses. It seems like a possible infection would be a "new" issue. I'm aware you can go "of and on" as needed if that is what it takes. Has anyone had specific experience related to this issue? Our geriatrician has told me she can still be involved if we ever choose hospice for my husband, I need to ask what she is allowed to help us with.

I have heard there is a difference between "for profit" and "non-profit" hospice services in the care you might receive. I totally believe in hospice and most people I have known have received great service and if needed I will definitely accept it. However, I have also heard a few unpleasant stories where the pain management was not handled as well as it may could have been (cost saving?) or the providers were not as experienced or well-trained in end of life care (again cost saving?). I do know you have the right to change services any time you feel you are not being served. Sadly, that would not be a viable option in the last days when it matters most to the patient as well as the family nearby. My father died in a hospital and I was amazed at how peaceful his death was.

As someone already suggested, I will definitely plan to closely read any contracts we are required to sign. We currently are using Palliative care and it has been a godsend in so many ways.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to KPWCSC
Report

I have used Dispatch Health for my husband and they were a godsend. They can do labs, x-rays, etc. in your home. They have immediate results and can prescribe medications if needed. They bill your insurance company. They are in most large cities. I highly recommend them.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Grannie9
Report

When my mother was on hospice last summer, her PCP was able to draw labs for super specific things, such as checking her sodium level but not anything else. I'm going to be honest in that it was difficult to even just get one thing checked because from the philosphical perspective of hospice, there is no need to do that. When we had to take her to the ER (fell on her head - bleeding out of her head) while on hospice, we did have the option of revoking hospice so that she could receive immediate care. I was told by the hospice nurse that if we wanted to go back on hospice after she left the hospital, we could do that. So, there is that option. When I spoke to the internal medicine doctor at the hospital, it sounded like a lot folks do that in my area. One of my high school classmates was part of the team for my mother's hospice. We had a very long conversation on the phone about hospice. Your loved one and you (in addition to other caregivers) need to be in the right mindset to start hospice. Of course, there are times when there's no choice, but if there is more choice in the situation, you have to be prepared. I question whether anyone can every trully be prepared, but you have to radically accept that this service is about supporting one die with dignity.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Rhetorica
Report

If your mom is in Hospice care, she can still see a PCP. Please revisit your contract for your mom, maybe they can help her cope with the pain. So sorry.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Onlychild2024
Report

Your mum's pain killer needs to be increased if she is still in pain.
Taking antibiotics when a person is on hospice defeats the object of allowing them to die peacefully and with dignity.

I was angry that a locum GP called an ambulance for yet another chest infection, when my mum had already been referred to palliative care.
Mum had always worked with the elderly and many with dementia (which she was so afraid of having); she said that pneumonia was a dying person's friend.

However, it turned out to be a blessing, as the palliative care doctor at the hospital got Mum onto the comfort care drugs - morphine, midazolam and glychopyrronium bromide and stopped all oral meds including the antibiotics. He made sure that a hospital bed and commode were set up at home before the rapid discharge.

A district nurse comes out to Mum every day, checks everything and changes the meds in her syringe driver. Palliative care also organised carers to visit 4 times a day. I will soon miss their cheerful greetings and kindness towards Mum. She no longer hears them, as she is in a deep, restful sleep...
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to MiaMoor
Report

Call your primary care physician. They can actually do a lot more than you might think when dealing with their special dementia patients.

Our PCP told me that when my FW starts getting dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting to give them a call and they can pump her up with an IV instead of having to go to the ER.

Another way to get blood tests done is to order any kind of panel yourself. Quest Diagnostics is probably the largest network. See if there's a lab near you.
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/locations/search
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to jwellsy
Report

FYI you can’t receive skilled home health services while on hospice.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to MidwestOT
Report

Medicare will pay for home health care. Our Dr, nursing, ot, pt, all come to house. They can take blood, give shots, etc. Just look for home health care on line in your area. It has saved us. I do not transport my loved one ever.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to RetiredBrain
Report

When my husband was on hospice and had a UTI there was only palliative care. No Dr or 911 calls. Only meds given by hospice to make him comfortable. When he passed a week or so later I called hospice and they came and called mortuary. They are in total control once you put your person on hospice. You take only meds provided by hospice.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Donnafrankcampy
Report

Visiting nurse practitioner or MD.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Kayleen
Report

Mobile blood lab Ask her doctor to do an order for a blood draw. They will come right to the house or to a car facility.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to BurntCaregiver
Report

A HOMECARE nurse can come take blood and urine, if her Doctor orders it.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Dawn88
Report

Do a web search for "mobile lab collection near me". And, as you probably know, hospice can be revoked at any time for any reason.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to LyndeeNew
Report

Sepsis actually is a deliverance for those who are dying. My own brother prayed to die before his diagnosis of probable early Lewy's Dementia could do its worst in robbing him of his ability to function and to understand what was happening to him. As it turned out he did beat Lewy's by dying of sepsis from a small unhealing sore on his shin. Within two weeks time he was gone and it would have been faster if they had not attempted treatment with antibiotics which the sepsis was resistant to, and simply allowed him to go home on hospice care. Eventually we were able to fight through to his release to his ALF with Hospice care. He died within days. He was well medicated by his Hospice caregivers.

The diagnosis of sepsis is unlikely to change that your loved one is now dying. The final "reason" would be the shutdown of all organs.

If you remove your loved one from hospice and demand transport to hospital then testing and admission may or may not occur. But what, other than prolonging torment, would be accomplished? Can you tell me?

I am so sorry for all the pain and sorrow you are going through. Hospice is there to medicate your loved one. Please allow that to happen.
Helpful Answer (15)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
Donnafrankcampy Aug 22, 2024
your message is so true. Hospice is the only answer when it is time to leave this world. My husband had late stage Altzheimers and very ill. He died with dignity and lots of love and care from hospice.
(9)
Report
Hospice may not do blood tests to check for infection, but they will do a urine test to see if your loved one still has a UTI, so request they do that.
When my late husband was under hospice care, they actually sent urine sample to one of our local hospitals to confirm that he in fact had a UTI, and it was covered under hospice/Medicare.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Some labs will come to the home. Quest was one of them. Notvsure about now.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter