Home health recommended that we consider enlisting hospice to help with my dad. He is getting weaker despite PT. He is not eating much, has sun-downers, and has dementia. He currently is in an assisted living facility but I am feeling I need to take him out of there and bring him to my house or take him back to his because since he is becoming less social he is feeling very lonely. Thanks for any help you can give with interviewing hospices.
God bless.
My Dad was shy around people, he preferred to stay in his room reading or watching TV. He always kept his apartment door open so people walking by could say "hi" to him.
As WindyRidge had mentioned, your Dad will need around the clock care. Are you ready to do the work of 3-full caregivers each day? It may work if you have nearby family who are willing to help doing one shift shift. Otherwise, you will need to stay home 168 hours a week. Yikes !!
The hospices usually work the same way. Once a week a nurse will drop by to check vitals, then leave to her next appointment. Once a week a person may come in to bathe Dad. Once or twice a week a volunteer may come in just to chat with Dad for an hour or so. Pain meds will be given to you to give to your Dad if he is at home. Otherwise, the nurse at the Assisting Living will handle the meds.
The hospital here give me a list of Hospice groups in my area. My area has something similar to Consumer's Report but it is geared to the immediate area. I was able to see ratings of the different Hospice groups. I used the same one for both my parents. The hospice group pretty much explained everything at the first meeting, and also handed me a 3-ring binder filled with information. I was pretty much deer in headlights during the meeting, so the binder was so helpful.
Hospice is supplemental care, not 24/7 care. If dad is moved home he will need round the clock care in addition to hospice care.