Hospice, any tips, guidelines or experiences you can share?

There is a series streaming prime, Hulu or max; don't remember which called dying for sex. while the first episodes are fantastical you might want to jump to the last in the series. She is in hospice and what she is going to experience is explained to her and family and friend. I found it quite interesting. I personally have not gone through hospice, but maybe this will give an idea to expect. My positive vibes and love go to you. Wish you could tell the rest of us what is up ahead. lots of hugs

I hope you are at peace with your decision. My sister passed away in 2018, after a 3-1/2 year battle with hpv negative cervical cancer. She went into hospice 6 months before she passed, & said it was a relief, & a blessing for her, & her family. I wish you a pain free, & peaceful journey.❤️

@margitdill
I imagine this was a tough decision, but sure, the correct one to get you the help you will need. When my mom got a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, it was her decision not to undergo treatments except what was necessary for comfort.

At first, she resisted hospice, actually angry that we suggested it, but then agreed to have in-home hospice. She turned down some options, like music therapy, but when she agreed to it, she really enjoyed it. The hospice team was so helpful in providing equipment, medication management, advice, etc...

My mother never had anything but basic cable, so we signed up for some streaming options so she could enjoy watching movies.

My advice is to take advantage of the services they offer.

Will you be doing hospice at your house or at a facility?

@roch thank you!!!

At home …. And yes! I will take advantage of everything I can. At first I did not think I would need social work but after seeing the services, i will take advantage of those!

Thank you for posting--such an important topic. I had a close friend who my husband and I cared for when she was in hospice for about six months. Actually a team of her friends did a lot, but we couldn't do it on our own and hospice was a great support. As a caretaker, I myself used the non-denominational chaplain for emotional guidance. The nurses were terrific, as was the doctor. Some hospices have volunteers--and I went on to do that for a few years afterward. I told my oncologist recently that if my cancer progressed to stage 4 I'd want to look at hospice as an option right from the start. Not against treatment, but I wanted to emphasize that I trust hospice and its goals. I hope this experience is useful and supportive. Do stay in touch if you feel like it--we can all benefit from understanding more. And just wishing you the best on a personal level, and thinking of you.

Our family has had two experiences with hospice. One was home hospice and the other required in house hospice care. Both times the hospice teams were so supportive and helpful in care and relieving of the terrible stress that comes with terminal illness. We are so thankful and cannot imagine how we could have navigated such a difficult path without our hospice teams. We send you our very best wishes for comfort and well being.

Hospice folk are some of the most kind, caring people you will ever meet. My Momma did not want to die in the hospital. We did Hospice at Home for her and it was the best decision we could have ever made. Her Hospice Care Team were the best, most kind, caring people you could ever meet.
My Momma passed at her home 2 days after her 88th Birthday and one day after her 59th Wedding Anniversary. My Daddy is still grieving for her. She passed of CKD which led to CHF and that's actually what ended up killing her was the congestive heart failure.
May the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always. God bless you @margitdill

@margitdill I am so sorry to read that your treatment options have run out. Glad you are moving onto what the next steps should be so you have it planned out for when needed.

Thank you for raising this topic. My Mom’s lung cancer treatment options also ran out and we were set for hospice at home to support us all in caring for her. Mom passed suddenly and unexpectedly at home on my Dad’s watch just before hospice was going to come in to help us. (I wish he’d been spared that).

My stage 4 appendix cancer treatment is still working (touch wood) but it’s incurable. I too am interested in the advice you get.

I hope you find exactly what you need to make the most of the time you have left, pain free, however long that may be 💕🙏

@margitdill Deciding to sign up for hospice is such a heartbreaking decision. It's difficult to fathom what you will need and what kind of care they will provide. I can say I've unfortunately had multiple experiences with hospice. They are the most kind, dedicated, caring people you will ever meet. They have counseling services, pain management, a case manager, a nurse, and so many other supports. You will have access to things at home that you haven't been able to get previously. Take advantage of everything they offer. You will find that the caregivers are such wonderful people, in my experience, that they become a part of the family. I am sending prayers your way !
Kerry

So far, I’ve only had a consultation phone call with hospice. It’s an hour away so I’m looking for something closer but the phone call was amazing. They were very helpful, friendly joking, and serious at the same time. I wish you the best.