What are your feelings about hospice care? When is the appropriate time to introduce hospice in the treatment of those with life-threatening illness?

What are your feelings about hospice care? When is the appropriate time to introduce hospice in the treatment of those with life-threatening illness?

In theory, hospice care seems optimal to being in ICU at the hospital. When treatments cause more harm than good.

My father died of cancer and his life became horrible. We didn't know about Hospice or the services it provided. He died in a hospital, in terrible pain, when all he wanted was to be home. When I read about Wisconsin and how much less they waste on unnecessary treatments because palliative care was being truthful about the outcome of their prognosis, I wondered why this isn't more heavily utilized? I think Hospice should be called on whenever the diagnosis is terminal.

I think the appropriate time is now. We don't like to receive flyers about our arrangements, wills, and power of attorneys but rationally discussed and planned before need would help/\.

Palliative care from Hospice was the most wonderful, comforting part of the final chapter of a family member very close to me. They are trained, caring and compassionate. They not only were the answer for the patient but such a comforting aid to our family. We requested memorial donations be made to that organization. However, I have noticed in the obituaries that not that many families make that request on behalf of their Hospice organization. I am curious as to why that might be? Also, did others have good experiences using Hospice care and would you recommend it for other families?

Sooner rather than later, when emotions are running high and everything seems overwhelming. Both my brother and my mother were on hospice, and I felt they - and we - were treated wonderfully. Hospice made a sad situation bearable.

We used hospice when my father was dying. It was great for all of us and I would recommend it to anyone. Hospice is called in when the doctor states the patient has 6 months or less to live. People with terminal illness should be made aware of it shortly after their diagnosis so they can make a decision and let their loved ones know their preference.

A friend used a hospice facility while taking care of her terminally ill father. She did not have hospice on a daily basis, but when she needed a break, or her father needed specialized care, she took advantage of a hospice facility nearby. It seemed to work well for her. I'm not sure how her father felt about spending occasional weekends at the facility, though.

I think hospice care is truly the way to go. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they regret using hospice care or that they had a bad experience. My parents used them when my father was in the final stages of cancer, and a close friend's family also used hospice as he was dying. My friend in particular - Bob - was adamant about dying at home. Hospice brought a bed in & configured his living room so he could fulfill that wish.

Regarding funding/benefiting the organization when someone dies, I'm not sure that many people realize they can or should help fund it. It's offered as part of many peoples' health plans as a free benefit, so perhaps it doesn't occur to anyone? Plus if someone's had a life-long relationship with an organization - say, the Humane Society - that may be what comes to mind first when the grieving family is composing the obituary.

Everyone I know who has been involved with hospice care has nothing but praise and thanks. I've learned a lot more about it by reading this book and am a proponent of early intervention. Just having all the knowledge of their services before one needs it, is in itself comforting.

Both my parents died in a nursing home and were under hospice care. The hospice staff were very caring and took time to talk with us. I received phone calls from them even after my mother died just following up to see how I was doing. We were just told by the nursing home staff that they were receiving visits from the hospice staff. I am not sure how they determined when it was appropriate.

It is a fantastic group. We were lucky enough to have a palliative doctor recommend and help us with my husbands illness. I found out that most people are on hospice for the last ten days of life. We had read Being Mortal earlier. So knew what we didn’t want. He has been on hospice for nine months, we have to re-evaluate often, but it has been such a wonderful experience. A caring group of people all willing to help and guide you through this process. We have not been to the hospital once since we have been on hospice. Many people come off and on hospice, but so much support is offered one should always investigate its value for a patient and the family.

The hospice that I work for is a leader in palliative care. My father was on hospice for two years before he died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. His quality of life greatly improved once he got on hospice. People think hospice is for the very end, but it isn't. If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness you can go on and off hospice depending on your symptoms. It is a God send.

I think all people should know the details of hospice care before they have any need of it. Everyone needs a short course on end of life alternatives and care given by geriatric professionals (even if they need that training first themselves). That way at least some family members will know when it is time to introduce hospice care.

My mother was in Hospice care at her home for the last month of her life and it was wonderful. The nurse was comforting to the entire family, and on the day of mother's passing, the nurse told us that morning about what time she would die that evening. She was exactly right. We all need education about Hospice and how it's handled in our community. Hopefully a person grievously ill would let her/his wishes about hospice care be known to the family asap.

Having seen the caring nature of the hospice team that took care of my husband in his final weeks, I am a great supporter of letting hospice take over the task of keeping a patient free of pain and administering patient, loving care to those in a terminal situation. I also agree that the family should be advised early on about their loved ones desire to receive hospice care when the end is near.