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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Is there another way? Hospice says they don't do blood tests to check for infection and mom is in pain taking pain killer. Already finished antibiotic for UTI.
I thought you could still receive care for things not related to your "terminal" diagnoses. It seems like a possible infection would be a "new" issue. I'm aware you can go "of and on" as needed if that is what it takes. Has anyone had specific experience related to this issue? Our geriatrician has told me she can still be involved if we ever choose hospice for my husband, I need to ask what she is allowed to help us with.
I have heard there is a difference between "for profit" and "non-profit" hospice services in the care you might receive. I totally believe in hospice and most people I have known have received great service and if needed I will definitely accept it. However, I have also heard a few unpleasant stories where the pain management was not handled as well as it may could have been (cost saving?) or the providers were not as experienced or well-trained in end of life care (again cost saving?). I do know you have the right to change services any time you feel you are not being served. Sadly, that would not be a viable option in the last days when it matters most to the patient as well as the family nearby. My father died in a hospital and I was amazed at how peaceful his death was.
As someone already suggested, I will definitely plan to closely read any contracts we are required to sign. We currently are using Palliative care and it has been a godsend in so many ways.
I have used Dispatch Health for my husband and they were a godsend. They can do labs, x-rays, etc. in your home. They have immediate results and can prescribe medications if needed. They bill your insurance company. They are in most large cities. I highly recommend them.
When my mother was on hospice last summer, her PCP was able to draw labs for super specific things, such as checking her sodium level but not anything else. I'm going to be honest in that it was difficult to even just get one thing checked because from the philosphical perspective of hospice, there is no need to do that. When we had to take her to the ER (fell on her head - bleeding out of her head) while on hospice, we did have the option of revoking hospice so that she could receive immediate care. I was told by the hospice nurse that if we wanted to go back on hospice after she left the hospital, we could do that. So, there is that option. When I spoke to the internal medicine doctor at the hospital, it sounded like a lot folks do that in my area. One of my high school classmates was part of the team for my mother's hospice. We had a very long conversation on the phone about hospice. Your loved one and you (in addition to other caregivers) need to be in the right mindset to start hospice. Of course, there are times when there's no choice, but if there is more choice in the situation, you have to be prepared. I question whether anyone can every trully be prepared, but you have to radically accept that this service is about supporting one die with dignity.
If your mom is in Hospice care, she can still see a PCP. Please revisit your contract for your mom, maybe they can help her cope with the pain. So sorry.
Your mum's pain killer needs to be increased if she is still in pain. Taking antibiotics when a person is on hospice defeats the object of allowing them to die peacefully and with dignity.
I was angry that a locum GP called an ambulance for yet another chest infection, when my mum had already been referred to palliative care. Mum had always worked with the elderly and many with dementia (which she was so afraid of having); she said that pneumonia was a dying person's friend.
However, it turned out to be a blessing, as the palliative care doctor at the hospital got Mum onto the comfort care drugs - morphine, midazolam and glychopyrronium bromide and stopped all oral meds including the antibiotics. He made sure that a hospital bed and commode were set up at home before the rapid discharge.
A district nurse comes out to Mum every day, checks everything and changes the meds in her syringe driver. Palliative care also organised carers to visit 4 times a day. I will soon miss their cheerful greetings and kindness towards Mum. She no longer hears them, as she is in a deep, restful sleep...
Call your primary care physician. They can actually do a lot more than you might think when dealing with their special dementia patients.
Our PCP told me that when my FW starts getting dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting to give them a call and they can pump her up with an IV instead of having to go to the ER.
Another way to get blood tests done is to order any kind of panel yourself. Quest Diagnostics is probably the largest network. See if there's a lab near you. https://www.questdiagnostics.com/locations/search
Medicare will pay for home health care. Our Dr, nursing, ot, pt, all come to house. They can take blood, give shots, etc. Just look for home health care on line in your area. It has saved us. I do not transport my loved one ever.
When my husband was on hospice and had a UTI there was only palliative care. No Dr or 911 calls. Only meds given by hospice to make him comfortable. When he passed a week or so later I called hospice and they came and called mortuary. They are in total control once you put your person on hospice. You take only meds provided by hospice.
Sepsis actually is a deliverance for those who are dying. My own brother prayed to die before his diagnosis of probable early Lewy's Dementia could do its worst in robbing him of his ability to function and to understand what was happening to him. As it turned out he did beat Lewy's by dying of sepsis from a small unhealing sore on his shin. Within two weeks time he was gone and it would have been faster if they had not attempted treatment with antibiotics which the sepsis was resistant to, and simply allowed him to go home on hospice care. Eventually we were able to fight through to his release to his ALF with Hospice care. He died within days. He was well medicated by his Hospice caregivers.
The diagnosis of sepsis is unlikely to change that your loved one is now dying. The final "reason" would be the shutdown of all organs.
If you remove your loved one from hospice and demand transport to hospital then testing and admission may or may not occur. But what, other than prolonging torment, would be accomplished? Can you tell me?
I am so sorry for all the pain and sorrow you are going through. Hospice is there to medicate your loved one. Please allow that to happen.
your message is so true. Hospice is the only answer when it is time to leave this world. My husband had late stage Altzheimers and very ill. He died with dignity and lots of love and care from hospice.
Hospice may not do blood tests to check for infection, but they will do a urine test to see if your loved one still has a UTI, so request they do that. When my late husband was under hospice care, they actually sent urine sample to one of our local hospitals to confirm that he in fact had a UTI, and it was covered under hospice/Medicare.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I have heard there is a difference between "for profit" and "non-profit" hospice services in the care you might receive. I totally believe in hospice and most people I have known have received great service and if needed I will definitely accept it. However, I have also heard a few unpleasant stories where the pain management was not handled as well as it may could have been (cost saving?) or the providers were not as experienced or well-trained in end of life care (again cost saving?). I do know you have the right to change services any time you feel you are not being served. Sadly, that would not be a viable option in the last days when it matters most to the patient as well as the family nearby. My father died in a hospital and I was amazed at how peaceful his death was.
As someone already suggested, I will definitely plan to closely read any contracts we are required to sign. We currently are using Palliative care and it has been a godsend in so many ways.
Taking antibiotics when a person is on hospice defeats the object of allowing them to die peacefully and with dignity.
I was angry that a locum GP called an ambulance for yet another chest infection, when my mum had already been referred to palliative care.
Mum had always worked with the elderly and many with dementia (which she was so afraid of having); she said that pneumonia was a dying person's friend.
However, it turned out to be a blessing, as the palliative care doctor at the hospital got Mum onto the comfort care drugs - morphine, midazolam and glychopyrronium bromide and stopped all oral meds including the antibiotics. He made sure that a hospital bed and commode were set up at home before the rapid discharge.
A district nurse comes out to Mum every day, checks everything and changes the meds in her syringe driver. Palliative care also organised carers to visit 4 times a day. I will soon miss their cheerful greetings and kindness towards Mum. She no longer hears them, as she is in a deep, restful sleep...
Our PCP told me that when my FW starts getting dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting to give them a call and they can pump her up with an IV instead of having to go to the ER.
Another way to get blood tests done is to order any kind of panel yourself. Quest Diagnostics is probably the largest network. See if there's a lab near you.
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/locations/search
The diagnosis of sepsis is unlikely to change that your loved one is now dying. The final "reason" would be the shutdown of all organs.
If you remove your loved one from hospice and demand transport to hospital then testing and admission may or may not occur. But what, other than prolonging torment, would be accomplished? Can you tell me?
I am so sorry for all the pain and sorrow you are going through. Hospice is there to medicate your loved one. Please allow that to happen.
When my late husband was under hospice care, they actually sent urine sample to one of our local hospitals to confirm that he in fact had a UTI, and it was covered under hospice/Medicare.