Thank You Hospice!

by Dennis Gourley
(Arizona)

Mom was in the hospital a few days this week, another fall. She was sent home as part of the hospice in home care group.

A big thumbs up to this organization.

Before mom arrived home, I had a hospital bed, a bedside commode, a wheelchair, a table for the bed, an oxygen set up for in home and mobile plus all her medications. This was all delivered.

Shortly after mom arrived home a nurse came to check on her. Today an aid came and gave her a shower, dressed her and sprayed her with perfume. Later another nurse came by to check mom and make sure I knew how everything worked.

I have a baby monitor in her room connected to my office next door, I can hear her every breath. If she says my name, nine times out of ten, I will hear her. She has a cell phone set up with an orange sticky thingy over one key, she pushes it and it calls me. She has a medical alert around her neck, she pushes one button and they call me.

She is under strict orders to not get up without me. I know her too well so I went one step further and put an alarm pad in her bed. She tried getting up by herself this evening and she was busted. She's like “where were you”... I say I check on you every hour or less, she's like “well I could argue that one” and then later corrects it to “sometimes it just seems longer”. She has three ways to contact me and I am there in less than a minute, but does she do it?

We are so much alike I understand and love her anyway.

She has some of the symptoms of a stroke but nothing confirmed. They told me it was more than likely the beginning of the end. Mom's wish was to come home, out of all the other options, she wanted to be home. It's my decision to be there with her until the end. Her vitals are strong, so no signs of anything imminent, but she is getting weaker and more confused.

Mom gets nurses and aids several times a week and anything else we need, again, Hospice, so far, has been amazing.

It's good to know I'm not alone in this, not that I ever was, I have some family members that love their nana and have been a big help. I know there are many more family members in far off places wishing they could do more, mom knows you are thinking about her.

-- More from Dennis here... ShadeBuilder website!

Comments for Thank You Hospice!

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Yes...
by: Rox/BHC

It is truly amazing and an almost Godly comfort that things have come so far. And kept up. I remember things back when....they were NOT the same. Thank you again, all of you workers and such, whom have made things progress. Thank you. I honestly wish I could could say more. Thanks.

Your situation
by: Elna Nugent, Lenox, MA

Dennis: Thanks for sharing your situation. It is difficult. I went through it with my husband and Hospice was there near the end. We can all commend you for your caring support of her.

When the patient stops eating or doesn't show interest -- and falls down easily both these sure signals of the waning days. She probably feels isolated and lonely and cranky even when she is getting excellent care. Is she able to watch TV? Vascular dementia can occur if a series of small strokes have taken place.

This is a time when you can ask her questions about her history which you may wish you had asked earlier. She may remember her childhood and early years but forget what happened a few minutes ago. She has a story that only she can tell. And looking at pictures or albums of photos taken in her youth can be comforting. Blessings.






My Hospice Experience
by: Wendy

As many of you know, I was with a friend last summer... she was in rehab for a month, then came home with 24.7 home care, and weekly hospice visits.

I intended to write about Hospice, but it never got done. Dennis, a friend, wrote about it on Facebook, and I asked permission to post here. Thanks Dennis!

My experience with Hospice was equally helpful. They took the time to answer our questions each week as we watched the slow decline of our friend. They explained how these serious medications worked, so we'd know what was ok. They kept track of ordering new medications, shipped to the home, so easy!

I wish I had known more about hospice in 2005 when I worked through my dad's illness. He sure could have used their help, and I certainly needed help as I was still employed full-time.

Hospice is not just for cancer... and some folks are on it for many years.

Learn more about Hospice here!

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