Hospice
 

I don't know a whole lot about Hospice, but Mom's kidney Dr. thinks it's time. For the last two days, Mom's blood pressure has not been good. Most of the time it reads at 70 or 80 something over 40 or 50 something. She sleeps or naps alot.

Her ankles are swollen very bad and the dialysis isn't getting much fluid off. The Dr. told her she wasn't going to get better and even though most of the time she's in denial, she did say to me "I guess I'm going to die". I told her "not today".

A person from Hospice called and will be here on Tuesday morning to give us whatever information we'll need. Not real sure what to expect, but I'll know soon enough I guess.

I've been feeling sick to my stomach ever since leaving the Dr's office.

Yes, of course, you are sick to your stomach and feeling terrible. Your mom is not doing well and may not get better. But Hospice can help, it really can. And Hospice does not necessarily mean the end is near, but it does mean they can help her be more comfortable during this difficult time.

That's reassuring, Gayle. I'm sure that hospice will work with your doctor to help get your Mom better. Maybe she'll listen to them better than she has you and your brothers. Can't the doctor give her something to help get the fluid off besides just using the dialysis?

She does take Lasix twice a day. She can't walk far now and seems to be going downhill much faster. She says she feels fine, but she doesn't and I can tell. Besides her feet being swollen, her cheeks are swollen too. No one is really sure why.

I can understand the way you feel, Janet. I have been there. Hospice care is what she needs. It will be good to see how well she will be taken care of, and take that off of your shoulders. Then you can spend time with her with less stress on you.

Prayers for you and Mom, Janet.

Thanks everyone...this may be a dumb question, but does Hospice cost? Where do I find out? I was hoping to get an idea before they come o Tuesday morning.

Janet, i agree with the Dr. you need to get some help not only to help your mom but to help you also, take some of the burden off of your shoulder's and they really know how to make them comfortable.
As for the cost, i don't think it does cost but not sure, mom had it for dad but it was such a short time before he passed away and there was really nothing to do for him, he passed in his sleep.
I hope your mom will allow them to help her and know that she is helping you also.

I think Medicare pays for it

So it does cost? I don't think she'll accept it if it does. She's so afraid Medicare will quit paying her medical bills since she's been in the hospital so much.

Yes it costs, but Medicare will pay for it. And no, Medicare will not quit paying her medical bills just because she's been in the hospital so much.

That's good to know...I really feel dumb when it comes to this stuff. I'll be letting her know she has nothing to worry about.

Does she have a social worker working on her case? Maybe the hospice staff can explain it to you in depth.

It is hard to take in all of this information! Don't feel dumb. These are things very few people know until they need to know. I'll be on Medicare next year, and have no idea what it involves.

I tell ya....it's so confusing and there is soooo much information to take in. Just when I think I have appts. and meds under control...there is always something else. My poor brain is going to give out I think...LOLOL

I know exactly how you feel Janet, we usually get one thing figured out with my mom and seems like there is some kind of a reaction with something else, mostly her sugar. so aggravating sometimes

Janet, it's confusing to me too sometimes, and I pretty much know what I am doing. There IS so much to take in - it's mind boggeling.

Judy - FOR SURE keep your retirement insurance as your secondary insurance. Medicare only pays 80% for most things, so you really need that secondary insurance to pay that other 20%. If you have a $100,000.00 hospitalization which is not uncommon, then you are left to pay $20,000.00. Not pretty.