Sorry you had to call. Glad you will now have the help. We have been on Hospice 6 mons now. Just rectified. And so glad for the help they have given us. We have a music therapist who comes once a week and DH loves the visit. Do they have that with your Hospice. (((Hugs)))
Hanging On, I know that every state is different but did you make the decision to call hospice on your own and if you did how did you come to that conclusion and most of all be right about it?
Our doctor wanted him to be on hospice. I needed more help in taking care of him. I am exhausted. The intake person told him, This is to help her take care of you. DH was for us calling in Hospice. I just knew l had come to the end of my rope. I was afraid he wouldn't qualify and was astounded that they said yes and listed five areas that he did qualify under. Those are double incontinence, weight loss, swallowing problems, difficulty walking, and sleeping more (he sleeps most of the 24 hours). I could have called them on my own and they would have called the doctor, but she called hospice herself as she did not like how I looked. We live in New Mexico. And to answer the other question, I don't know if this hospice has music therapy. They will be setting up our team, and I will learn more then.
Thanks for your good responses. Love to you all. Hanging on
I talked with my/DH doctor about the decline in DH and he said if I called he would sign off on the paper work. Hospice has been so good for us. He loves his nurse. I have used a volunteer 3 times to sit with DH. They have been awesome. I know that I am not alone when it comes to his care. Just today the nurse and I were working on adjusting his meds. So easy to talk to her. And they are just a phone call away.
DH has been on hospice for one year - "failure to thrive" due to weight loss (220 Dec 2011 and 106 now at 6' 3"). He eats very little but drinks well (Ensure Plus, milk shakes, gatoraid, etc.) He also has had swallowing problems for about a year so his food is "mechanical soft" (chopped). Most of the time refuses to open his mouth. He does like sweets and eats them more frequently. He is so frail and thin it is pitiful to see.
Hospice has been great and really tuned in. Nurse sees him M-F at the long term care facilitiy and if DH needs care on the weekend, they send a nurse out. DH had a urinary tract infection back in mid July and had 106 (yes 106) fever. Hospice critical care watched over him for 2 days until he miraculously recovered. Doc had already informed me it would probably be terminal. Although he is still with us, DH can no longer walk on his own since this incident.
Back to the topic, Hospice is wonderful and it costs nothing to have your loved one evaluated. One perk is they supply diapers, wipes, and comfort meds.
Texasgirl---so sorry your DH has gotten this advanced. I am visiting facilities right now, planning placement soon and will call Hospice also---my DH's appetite still great but there have been other signs of substantial decline, so it is time.