My mother recently relocated to South Carolina. She suffers from congestive heart failure & CKD. She had a recent consultation w/her new nephrologist. Test results show that her kidney function has worsened. Her nephrologist recommended that she get hospice care to better manage her condition.
The thing is, my mom can still function — she cooks, dresses herself, and she’s alert mentally, though she has mild dementia. How would hospice work in this case?
She spent 2.5 hours with us and made sure that my dad understood how he needed to eat and drink to help himself feel better and not end up on dialysis.
I would be concerned that her new doctor doesn't want to deal with an elderly person and just gave her a death sentence because of his personal choice. Get a second opinion.
Ask for a Hospice evaluation. If she does not meet the qualifications for Hospice she can receive Palliative Care and as she declines she will meet Hospice guidelines and the Palliative service can be transferred to Hospice service.
Hospice does not necessarily mean a person has "6 months or fewer" after the initial period a recertification is done if she still meets the Medicare guidelines for Hospice she will remain on Hospice. My Husband was on Hospice for almost 3 years. He continued to decline and continued to meet the guidelines at each recertification.
Do ask doctor this question as regards this recommendation: "WHY?"
Hospice would supply any and all needed equipment, supplies and medications all covered 100% under your moms Medicare.
Other than that, they really don't do much, and 99% of your moms care will still be on you or other family members if she remains at home.
It can't hurt to bring them on board early as most people wait too late to bring hospice on board. Just don't expect much from them at this point.
I work/live in another state. I was able to set up home health/home care services for mom. My brother & I plan to discuss this with her-not sure if she’ll be receptive to it.
So far, it has been a huge relief.
My parents started hospice two weeks ago, (92, both w dementia, plus my mom has chronic kidney disease, stage 4).
Because of hospice, my parents no longer have to be taken to drs appts. The RN case manager has come to their home at least twice a week. This alone has been a huge plus, because we no longer have to coordinate driving one parent to the doctor while another stays home. No more convincing my parents they need to go to the dr. No more getting my parents up and ready for their trip to the dr. Plus no more making drs appointments, period. No more dealing with drs offices, receptionists, messages not being delivered to the dr, etc.
A social worker visited. First she spoke to me to ask how I was doing. That has never happened with their former doctors. She asked me what my specific concerns were regarding my parents.
The RN removed medications that my parents were taking that were, at this point, no longer necessary. They have their medications ordered and delivered by hospice now. No more trips to the pharmacy or requesting meds from their drs and having to wait.
Hospice gives me access 24 hours a day if I have any questions or concerns. They give their assessment of how my parents are doing, instead of at the doctor's office, in front of my parents.
We have 24 hour caregivers, so hospice also guides the caregivers in their care, specific to each parent's situation.
Also, after 6 months, they are re-assessed, and either taken off hospice, or it is continued.
So for me and my specific situation, it has been very helpful.
I hope you find what works best for you.
Hospice does not care for conditions. What does this doctor think they can do for kidney failure. Dyalisis would be the next thing I would think. When that is not an option and kidneys shut down, then its Hospice because you will pass. Hospice is end of life care. Extraordinary measures are stopped. Life giving medications are stopped.
Doesn't seem to me Mom is there yet. You could have a Hospice consultation to see if it is something Mom could use.