Is Hospice Care an After Thought?

For many dying seniors Hospice care (palliative care) happens only as an afterthought. By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room I wonder how many dementia caregivers really understand Hospice? How many take the time to plan well, in advance, for the utilization of Hospice? The evidence seems to indicate not many. Do you know how Hospice works? Have you discussed Hospice care with your doctor? Do you and your doctor have a plan in place to utilize Hospice? If so, wonderful. If not, you should consider getting ahead of the Alzheimer's curve and developing a plan well in advance. There were two times when I thought it might be necessary for me to utilize Hospice to help care for Dotty. Two false alarms. She bounced back. The third time there was no doubt - it was time for Hospice. Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room Email: I took Dotty to the doctor and he examined my mother and then said, what do you want to do? I answered with a single word - Hospice. He answered with a single word - okay. I wrote about the wonderful care and help we received to help Dotty die with dignity, and in the comfort of our home. No intensive care unit, no procession of strangers moving in and out of the room. In fact, it was our second time around. Hospice helped Dotty and me care for my dad, Frank. Do patients want aggressive end of life care? Do they want their life extended for days or weeks by use of drugs and machines? I can answer for Dotty, no, she did not. ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Dementia Authors: Source Type: blogs