Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Just jumped on here as my niece has asked me to attend the visit from the hospice nurse who will be evaluating niece’s Mom who is 93, stage 4 CKD, on insulin and levothyroxine .. recently in hospital for UTI. We are close and the Mom stays with us when niece travels. Would appreciate guidance on questions to ask the nurse.

Thanks so much.

Just a small adjustment on the definition of palliative care. Palliative care is often referred to symptom management care.

From Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/palliative-care/about/pac-20384637
"Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It also can help you cope with side effects from medical treatments. The availability of palliative care does not depend on whether your condition can be cured.

Palliative care teams aim to provide comfort and improve quality of life for people and their families. This form of care is offered alongside other treatments a person may be receiving."

For anyone wishing to learn more about hospice care at Mayo Clinic, see https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/hospice/sections/overview/ovc-20481745

I agree, @budisnothome. Both the palliative and hospice teams at Mayo Clinic are excellent. When did they become part of your team? What did you appreciate the most?

@lcl44, how did the visit with the hospice care nurse go?

Wife went into ed on Feb 24. Meet with palliative and hospice teams. Transfered to SNF under mayo hospice care on March 3. Went to be with Jesus on Sunday March 9. Every person on both teams were wonderful. Hospice nurses are very skilled and know how to care for you and to make you comfortable. Very caring and comforting for my wife. Thank you nurses.

It went well, @colleenyoung. Thank you! I used ChatGPT to get pointers and between us, my niece and I covered what we wanted to know. I think my niece has found the hospice care nurse/case manager very helpful but so far her Mom has refused the aide because she does not like taking showers and says she can get in and out of the bathtub herself .. which in fact she has proved she can! She seems to be recovering some of the strength she lost as a result of the hospital stay.

@budisnothome, I'm so glad that you had care and comfort, not only for your wife, but also for you. Sending you peace and a gentle embrace as you navigate these days.

Thank you. Hospice care team was wonderful.

@budisnothome

Sincere condolences on the loss of your precious wife. 💔