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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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No, hospice allows people to die as pain free and comfortable as possible. And to me that doesn't sound like "killing" but instead comfort care. My late husband was under hospice care in our home the last 22 months of his life and died because of his vascular dementia, sepsis and septic shock among other things, but not because of hospice. We occasionally get posts questioning hospice care, but it's usually from folks who are in shock over losing a loved one and haven't had the proper time to grieve or process their loved ones death. If that is you, I hope and pray that in time you'll come to understand the purpose of hospice and appreciate that your loved on no longer is suffering.
Jarvis, it may seem that way to some, but no , it's the Alzheimer's,the liver disease, the ALS, the kidney disease, that kills people, it's the medical field keeping them alive though dialysis or meds then, the people saying no more to being poked and tested and giving people there peace
No. Of course not. It is illegal to kill people in this country. The truth is, however, that when people subscribe to this conspiracy theory it is almost impossible to change their minds. This is true of all conspiracy theorists.
Do try to open your mind wide and seek all the education you can regarding end of life care. I wish you the best.
What I have found being a member of this forum is that those that feel hospice has hastened someones death are ill informed.
If your on Hospice its because it has been determined you will die in 6 months. Yes, people have lived longer on Hospice. When the Admitting Nurse is there to tell family what Hospice will do, there needs to be someone there who will hear what family doesn't.
Hospice is comfort care. If done in the home, the family pretty much does all the work. A Nurse will come in once a week to check on the client. She is also responsible in ordering Depends, Chuxs, medication and durable equipment like a hospital bed. She teaches the family how to administer the Morphine used for pain and ease of breathing. Anxiety happens with dying people so there will be meds for that. An aide will come in about 2 to 3x a week to bathe. This is when family may have some down time so see how long an aide can stay. There is also a 5 day respite.
Hospice does not starve clients. But, when the body starts to shut down, no food or drink are given because it does more harm than good. The body can no longer digest it. First sign is not being able to swallow.
The better informed you are, the better the experience will be. The family is just as important as the client. The nurse should be available by phone 24/7.
Well said, JoAnn. My MIL has been here in our home on hospice Since last November. the nurses and aides do exactly what you state above. They have also taken her off most meds except for a heart med and a blood pressure patch. I am grateful to God that we have hospice for many reasons. We are not at the point of needing any meds to address pain or agitation, but hospice has provided them for us if/when we do. They are our lifeline in case we have questions or should there be an urgent medical need that arises (We have trained ourselves to call them instead of 911 ...their number is on our fridge.)
A few days ago, I saw an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on the hospice industry that was rather disturbing. Check it out if you can. It's an adult program with adult language, in case that's something you don't like.
Life kills people. Disease and tumors and being 95 is what does it. Hospice keeps people comfortable during the end of life process so they don't die in pain, screaming in agony.
My dads hospice provides end of life drugs for the purpose of assisted suicide in accordance with California law.
This wasn’t an option for my dad as he had a dementia diagnosis, but the chaplain/grief counselor has helped others to die. He counsels them with the nurse as to whether this is something they want, and assists in preparing the lethal cocktail telling the patient what is going on and then sets the cocktail on the bed table telling patients they must do the rest themselves. Whether the patient wants their hand held or prayers or whatever is discussed ahead of time. The whole interaction is filmed for hospice liability.
The vast majority of people on hospice are actively already dying. They are typically brought in to provide End Of Life care for the patient - as well as to offer respite and support for the family.
Frequently what we have seen here is that family members were not preparing themselves for the death of their loved one in spite of their diagnosis, and when Hospice discontinues most medications except for those that provide comfort/relieve pain (in other words - treatment for the illness is no longer given) it is easy for them to feel like Hospice killed them by not treating them or offering life-saving measures.
But that's not what Hospice does. When your loved one is transitioned to hospice care - it is because doctors do not expect them to live more than 6 months. They are there to offer comfort and pain relief. But hospice cannot and will not treat the terminal illness that is actually killing the patient.
My hospice counselor told me that people are allowed to continue on hospice as long as the circumference upper arm measurement is less than what it was when they last applied to hospice or its continuance.
I heard heart patients actually live longer when on hospice. Pops will be 96 in two weeks and has been on hospice four months. Other than falling every other minute due to weak non oxygenated legs, he’s still stable and maybe more so.
Sure seems like hospice killing people would ruin their business, if they kill all their patients who would their business come from? How ludicrous! Of course hospice patients die! It’s defined as end of life care. The patients die as they have terminal or extremely life limiting illnesses. Hospice helps them to be comfortable and have supplies, aid, guidance, and medication to ease the stress of the last times. It was a gift to our family and I remain grateful
I find that people who interfere with hospice medications are only thinking about themselves rather than providing pain free care. Some family withhold medications and do not think about the pain the people suffer. The patient makes the decision to stop care. So please honor it and spend time with your loved one as if it is the last visit. End on good terms.
I’ll repeat a previous comment, that I think the local equivalent of hospice probably shortened my mother’s life by about 2 days. She was dying from cancer, in the very last stages with great pain. She was given a large dose of morphine, lost consciousness, and died less than 24 hours later. I was very glad that her end was peaceful and pain free. It’s certainly not my definition of ‘hospice killed her’.
I suspect that people who say this, are in denial about how close to the end their LO actually was, and blame the morphine not the illness. My dear mother wasn't going to recover from terminal cancer.
I find not all hospice to be equal unfortunately . So ask questions .
I have read many good experiences here about hospice . My FIL was only on hospice in his AL for a few days but they were great .
My sister was in the hospital and the doctor suggested hospice , I thought ok until the nurse said they were not going to give her any of her meds anymore which I thought was far too soon to take away some of her meds . For example nebulizer breathing treatments to make it easier to breathe so she was not feeling like she was suffocating . Turned out she began to get better because she finally got anesthesia out of her system from needing 3 procedures in 10 days . When my sister improved she asked to come off hospice and go on palliative care so she could have her meds again . Then she went to rehab and then home . She’s still alive 20 months later and doing better , although she still has a lot of issues .
I don’t understand why they had the all or nothing approach regarding her meds at the hospice at this hospital she was at . I think they have to look at each case and decide . My only guess is they thought she was worse off than she was because of whatever the doctor recorded . And she was in bad shape . But they should have waited for anesthesia to wear off and see how she was before cutting out all meds permanently . Maybe the doctor did not know they would stop all her meds so soon permanently ???? I don’t know .
OP hasn’t given any details or story in the original question (just the headline), has made no further reply to any of these comments, has never posted anywhere else on this forum, and has no profile.
It’s quite possible it’s just a minimalist poster, we see plenty of those, but given the inflammatory topic….I have to wonder if OP is winding us up. Sorry if this is a legitimate question, but if so, please let us know more so we can help.
I have answered this before but I will repeat it as this seems to be a misconception. If Hospice kills people they did a rather poor job of it. My Husband was on Hospice for almost 3 years. During that time they had a Nurse come 1 time a week. A CNA came 2 sometimes 3 times a week. The Nurse would order all the medications, and if equipment was needed she would order that and it would be delivered and set up. The CNA would give him a shower, would make sure he was clean, dry and clean clothes. She would order supplies that would be delivered so I no longer had to buy briefs, wipes, gloves, cream, ointment, under pads. A Social Worker would check in once a month and if I wanted a visit by the Chaplain that would be arranged. I also had a Volunteer come a few times when I had to get out and did not have a caregiver. All in all I think the Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia did a much better job of "killing" him than Hospice did.
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.
My late husband was under hospice care in our home the last 22 months of his life and died because of his vascular dementia, sepsis and septic shock among other things, but not because of hospice.
We occasionally get posts questioning hospice care, but it's usually from folks who are in shock over losing a loved one and haven't had the proper time to grieve or process their loved ones death.
If that is you, I hope and pray that in time you'll come to understand the purpose of hospice and appreciate that your loved on no longer is suffering.
The truth is, however, that when people subscribe to this conspiracy theory it is almost impossible to change their minds. This is true of all conspiracy theorists.
Do try to open your mind wide and seek all the education you can regarding end of life care. I wish you the best.
If your on Hospice its because it has been determined you will die in 6 months. Yes, people have lived longer on Hospice. When the Admitting Nurse is there to tell family what Hospice will do, there needs to be someone there who will hear what family doesn't.
Hospice is comfort care. If done in the home, the family pretty much does all the work. A Nurse will come in once a week to check on the client. She is also responsible in ordering Depends, Chuxs, medication and durable equipment like a hospital bed. She teaches the family how to administer the Morphine used for pain and ease of breathing. Anxiety happens with dying people so there will be meds for that. An aide will come in about 2 to 3x a week to bathe. This is when family may have some down time so see how long an aide can stay. There is also a 5 day respite.
Hospice does not starve clients. But, when the body starts to shut down, no food or drink are given because it does more harm than good. The body can no longer digest it. First sign is not being able to swallow.
The better informed you are, the better the experience will be. The family is just as important as the client. The nurse should be available by phone 24/7.
This wasn’t an option for my dad as he had a dementia diagnosis, but the chaplain/grief counselor has helped others to die. He counsels them with the nurse as to whether this is something they want, and assists in preparing the lethal cocktail telling the patient what is going on and then sets the cocktail on the bed table telling patients they must do the rest themselves. Whether the patient wants their hand held or prayers or whatever is discussed ahead of time. The whole interaction is filmed for hospice liability.
Frequently what we have seen here is that family members were not preparing themselves for the death of their loved one in spite of their diagnosis, and when Hospice discontinues most medications except for those that provide comfort/relieve pain (in other words - treatment for the illness is no longer given) it is easy for them to feel like Hospice killed them by not treating them or offering life-saving measures.
But that's not what Hospice does. When your loved one is transitioned to hospice care - it is because doctors do not expect them to live more than 6 months. They are there to offer comfort and pain relief. But hospice cannot and will not treat the terminal illness that is actually killing the patient.
I suspect that people who say this, are in denial about how close to the end their LO actually was, and blame the morphine not the illness. My dear mother wasn't going to recover from terminal cancer.
And sometimes doctors and nurses have been convicted of murder: for example, by committing murder through a morphine overdose.
I have read many good experiences here about hospice . My FIL was only on hospice in his AL for a few days but they were great .
My sister was in the hospital and the doctor suggested hospice , I thought ok until the nurse said they were not going to give her any of her meds anymore which I thought was far too soon to take away some of her meds . For example nebulizer breathing treatments to make it easier to breathe so she was not feeling like she was suffocating . Turned out she began to get better because she finally got anesthesia out of her system from needing 3 procedures in 10 days . When my sister improved she asked to come off hospice and go on palliative care so she could have her meds again . Then she went to rehab and then home . She’s still alive 20 months later and doing better , although she still has a lot of issues .
I don’t understand why they had the all or nothing approach regarding her meds at the hospice at this hospital she was at . I think they have to look at each case and decide . My only guess is they thought she was worse off than she was because of whatever the doctor recorded . And she was in bad shape . But they should have waited for anesthesia to wear off and see how she was before cutting out all meds permanently . Maybe the doctor did not know they would stop all her meds so soon permanently ???? I don’t know .
It’s quite possible it’s just a minimalist poster, we see plenty of those, but given the inflammatory topic….I have to wonder if OP is winding us up. Sorry if this is a legitimate question, but if so, please let us know more so we can help.
If Hospice kills people they did a rather poor job of it.
My Husband was on Hospice for almost 3 years.
During that time they had a Nurse come 1 time a week. A CNA came 2 sometimes 3 times a week. The Nurse would order all the medications, and if equipment was needed she would order that and it would be delivered and set up. The CNA would give him a shower, would make sure he was clean, dry and clean clothes. She would order supplies that would be delivered so I no longer had to buy briefs, wipes, gloves, cream, ointment, under pads. A Social Worker would check in once a month and if I wanted a visit by the Chaplain that would be arranged. I also had a Volunteer come a few times when I had to get out and did not have a caregiver.
All in all I think the Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia did a much better job of "killing" him than Hospice did.