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Caregiving
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Q: Hospice or Nursing home which is better
I would think hospice is for shorter stay? It depends on the physician. If his health allows him to live longer; say 2 or 3 more years, then a nursing home is better. Lots of nursing home these days have nice facilities. Also most nursing homes have hospice also. I would recommend that you find a nursing home with hospice that suits his needs so he can move to the hospice right away when it is needed in the future in the same nursing home. Unless he is dying soon, I am not sure hospice is for him. My late mother-in-law died in the hospice and she almost went to a nursing home when they thought her cancer could be beaten. So to me, hospice is the dying in a short time (6 months) and the nursing home is for longer period of time, say 1 to 3 years.
We are searching for nursing homes now and I see that some of them have hospice also. I would think the nursing home can help him with the pain.
The other thing is, when the patient goes to the hospice, the drugs/pain killers they provide are toxic and is not for life saving (that is why my late mom-in-law had more pain in the patient's ward, but much less in the hospice and she was gone in a week after she was mvoed to the hospice.)
If you still want to save him for his quality of life, I would say try the nursing home with skilled care and see what they can do to help him first.
Just my 2 cents,
Nina
The nursing homes don't have hospice. I was wrong about that. In any case, it is easy for the nursing homes to transfer the patient to the hospice when needed.
I hope you will be able to find the right place for him! Talk to his doctors and see what they say.
Take care,
Nina
Hi-I am a hospice nurse-alzheimer's does not mean a life expectancy of 6 months or less-it varies from person to person-my mother has alzheimer's and has been on hospice almost 2 years. I take care of her at home because as a nurse for 24 years I have never seen a "good" nursing home-looks are very deceiving-some of the assisted living facilities that charge $4000/month are the pits. If you can afford someone to come several hours a day so you can get some rest/help it is far better for a person with any medical condition to be at home. If finances are a concern check with your states CCSP program which is medicaid funded. I now receive 20 hours of help per week and it has been a lifesaver.
HOSPICE RN REPLY: CLARIFICATION
You can receive hospice care anywhere--at home, in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), and RCFE (residential care facility), Board & Care etc.
Hospice is NOT a place, but a specialized mode of care aimed at comfort rather than cure & treatment (ex. a deteriorating Alzheimers Patient or a cancer pt who has no further options). Even hospitals are not particularly skilled on care of chronic pain and other End-Stage problems.
Hospice IS is a free and robust MEDICARE Benefit for those 65 yrs + (& for some younger patients on longterm disability for a required length of time). Many INSURANCE PLANS also cover Hospice (ex, for a 50 yr old with End-Stage liver disease).
No matter where the patient resides, it is HOSPICE that can provide the type of comfort care and support needed. HOSPICE considers the Patient AND family/caregivers as the care-unit. Hospice RNS & MDs are experts in pain control, and other end-stage issues including agitation, confusion, nausea, constipation, rashes, etc. The LIST of HOSPICE SERVICES includes: equipment (O2, beds, wheelchairs for ex), medications for bowels, pain and other discomforts, social workers, and spiritual support. Patients also receive visits from Home Health Aides for physical care (even in a SNF or RCFE). Hospice also
pays for other medications related to the PRIMARY HOSPICE DIAGNOSIS. The list is quite long--so ask your father's MD for a Hospice Referral. It is your right, the patient's right, to use hospice. Even if your MD or the SNF say otherwise, you can still assert your wish for these services (If you are on MEDICARE---you earned it!).
HINT: Google "HOSPICE" for your area and options will appear. They vary somewhat, but all have comfort as the goal. GOOD LUCK. HOSPICE IS A PHILOSOPHY OF CARE---Avail yourself of its many benefits for your loved one.
BTW--research has shown that hospice patients survive longer (and better) than without.
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