Question 1

could hospice care mean that it's the final care for someone before they die?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Hospice care is exactly that. You are expected to live less than 6 months when you enroll on hospice care.  The goal is to treat symptoms and improve someone's quality of life, not to treat the underlying disease.

Question 2

how is hospice care tailored to a dying person's needs?

Accepted Answer

By symptoms: Hospice care is tailored to control symptoms. There is an assessment by the care team to look at medical symptoms as well as emotional needs. The family situation is also evaluted. Most programs have a very integrated approach to care.

Question 3

when the doctor recommends hospice would it be helpful if the children encourage their dying?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: I'm not sure what question you're asking but i'll give an overall answer. A child eligible for hospice should be told they are dying. Hospice can help do it in an honest and compassionate way. The children are often up front, and less scared than the parents. The good thing about hospice for children is they will take the child even if you are still actively trying to cure, unlike adults.

Question 4

which things should i ask the hospital caseworker about hospice for my husband who's dying of lymphoma?

Accepted Answer

Ask if they can help: Sorry for your husband's illness.  Hospice can be a source of great comfort both for you & your husband. They can provide respite care for you, so you can have some personal time while he is cared for he can have another volunteer come & visit. Hospice services typically provides all medication that is needed, but not for room and board.  Typically the hospice nurse can answer all these questions.

Question 5

in mort school we learned, by messaging feet of dying hospice pt. , you can keep them alive a few hours more, any truth?  something bout circulation

Accepted Answer

Interesting...: I can imagine that it might be comforting to be massaged in the last hours, but I can't see how it could possibly prolong life in any significant way.  Improved circulation or not.

Question 6

my dad is in hospice. he reached the final death stage. he has now did 4 days with no water and the doctor told me giving him a iv of water is just going to prolong his death and pain. is this true?

Accepted Answer

Renal failure: If he continues to receive intravenous hydration then it can prevent him from dying from renal failure. I have been told that renal failure is a gentle way to die without significant pain. It may actually be an act of kindness to allow him to die in this manner.  I am sorry for your anticipated loss. God bless.

Question 7

my mom final stage copd in home hospice has had a hard time time catching her breath since she woke up this morning contacted her nurse isn't due to see her until tomorrow she's on trilogy machine 247 how can i help her?

Accepted Answer

: Low doses morphine are used for severe shortness of breath among other modalities. The hospice staff should be able to further advise based on details of her history, current and previous treatments.

Question 8

what are some of the signs of dying? my mom is on hospice and has started feeling things like her clothes, my hands,  etc. friend said this is a sign.

Accepted Answer

Hospice nurse: will tell you what you need to know.  Please ask her/him about this or ask the hospice medical social worker.  Your mom may be reaching out for reassurance.  Peace good health.

Question 9

what do someone's eyes look like actively dying end of life copd hospice patient i don't know what to expect or look like besides glassy , glazed, teary?

Accepted Answer

: Most of us here at HealthTap are practitioners who treat patients outside of hospice care.  The best person(s) to ask your question is your colleagues who have dealt with their patients' last hours. It is a difficult observation, but is an important one so proper preparations can be offered for the patients with varying stages of living and dying.  Thank you for posting your question for us.

Question 10

according to my mom's dr she referred her to hospice to keep her out of the hospital is it true end stage copd or is she actively dying?

Accepted Answer

: A hospice referral is generally ordered when death is "expected within six months", by a treating physician.  There are many occasions where this "guess" is incorrect, with patients surviving much longer.

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Doctor answers about:

Hospice final stages of dying

A member asked:

Could hospice care mean that it's the final care for someone before they die?

A member asked:

How is hospice care tailored to a dying person's needs?

A member asked:

When the doctor recommends hospice would it be helpful if the children encourage their dying?

A member asked:

Which things should i ask the hospital caseworker about hospice for my husband who's dying of lymphoma?

A member asked:

In mort school we learned, by messaging feet of dying hospice pt. , you can keep them alive a few hours more, any truth? something bout circulation

A member asked:

My dad is in hospice. he reached the final death stage. he has now did 4 days with no water and the doctor told me giving him a iv of water is just going to prolong his death and pain. is this true?

A member asked:

My mom final stage copd in home hospice has had a hard time time catching her breath since she woke up this morning contacted her nurse isn't due to see her until tomorrow she's on trilogy machine 247 how can i help her?

A member asked:

What are some of the signs of dying? my mom is on hospice and has started feeling things like her clothes, my hands, etc. friend said this is a sign.

A member asked:

What do someone's eyes look like actively dying end of life copd hospice patient i don't know what to expect or look like besides glassy , glazed, teary?

A member asked:

According to my mom's dr she referred her to hospice to keep her out of the hospital is it true end stage copd or is she actively dying?

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