Stages of death in hospice

Common Questions and Answers about Stages of death in hospice

death

438514 tn?1305734140 My father in law was recently in hospice and we were told that his primary doctor would continue to be in charge and might (with patient and family approval) order potentially life-lengthening interventions, such as nutrition. Hospice was there to make him physically comfortable and provide chaplaincy/counseling as needed. As it turned out, the primary doctor did not interfere.
Avatar f tn My father is in the final stages of dementia. He can no longer hold anything or walk. He quit speaking about 4 years ago. I just was recently told that he no longer chews. This has been for about 6 weeks. His food is thickened so he can swallow it. He has lost about 20 pounds in 5 months. His albumin level is 2.7, and 2.5 is sometimes the criteria for hospice care. My question is, how much longer before he loses his ability to swallow?
Avatar f tn My 90 yr old mother died last night in Hospice care. She was in a nursing home for 4 years, where I visited her daily. When we knew the end was near we called in Hospice. When it became evident that she was in the final stages and gasping for breath they administered morphine, orally, then a suppository, then orally again. It all happened so fast but when the last dose was given I was overwhelmed.
Avatar n tn The natural course of emphysema is one of increasing shortness of breath. That is what you should be looking for. In some instances, progressive respiratory failure is accompanied by depression, personality changes, memory loss and a decrease in cognition. This all can be most uncomfortable but, especially in the final stages, can be significantly improved by the judicious administration of narcotics. Many doctors are reluctant to provide this kind of relief.
Avatar n tn All I can tell you is there is power in prayer. There is nothing that can prepare you for the death of a loved one. Just make sure you tell her everything you want to and that you love her. Let her know that is ok to let go and that you will be ok here as you wait to be with her again. I am sorry I have no other words.
Avatar f tn When the time comes, and you will know, hospice is a good answer, let her be free of pain and able to enjoy her time with her family and friends. It is not easy to give up, but if the quality of life is gone, then you need to think about what would give her some peace. From one that has been there, I am so sorry about your mother, but this is for you also, it is very hard to be the caregiver at the end of a loved ones life.
Avatar f tn I think that the final stages are different for everyone and not certain if anyone can answer this question. The doctors and nurses can help guide the person through the final stages and due what they can to ensure the patient is not in pain or fear.
Avatar n tn I am 72 years of age, a lifelong smoker, presently on two inhalers twice daily and believe that I am in the final stages of life. I have little fear of death but do not want to cause too much burden on my wife or daughter by "lingering". Suicide has crossed my mind but I'm not anxious to go that route until I am incapable of functioning on my own. That is, I don't want anyone bathing, dressing, or feeding me.
Avatar f tn Dobutamine is only used for symptom relief in end stages of heart failure, it does not prolong life or provide survival benefit, I guess your husband's symptoms must be well controlled by opiates or morphine and hospice sees no benefit continuing dobutaminw
Avatar f tn t bring myself to agree and then she started eating again - then in Dec she stopped eating again, looked skeletal and I then put her on Hospice - She died 5 days later after getting pneumonia - her death cert listed alz as cause of death. Now they are suggesting hospice for my Dad (92) who is in assisted living (in the same facility ). I did agree to it although it is eating me up.
Avatar f tn Hello.... what is the time line for the last stages of ovarian cancer.. My mother is 77 has had it for 18 months now... the cancer is in the lymph nodes, she is 36 kgs her stomach is huge and she is taking a high dose of drugs for the pain,,, but my brother and i are so confused .. the docs tell us nothing, i am at the stage where i read her chats to get any info i can. i am a hands on person i like to know what there pumping into my mother.... god its hard and heart breaking to watch .
1396990 tn?1280428984 My brother in law had brain cancer and died in Arizona. Hospice was great for my sister in that instance. I still carry many regrets for listening to their advise and letting my son die in the fashion that he did. The guilt and grief will never go away. It haunts me. Check the particular Hospice company that you use very thoroughly. This time is a crucial and extreme process. Be very, very careful of whose hands you deliver you loved ones into.
Avatar n tn I read that this was the beginning signs of death. we called the hospice nurse and she came and said that he was actively dying and she though that he was throwing up blood, not bile, but they do not have the stuff to test it and see if it was blood or bile. He also had a dark spot by his tear duct, which I think could have been blood also coming from his eye. We got his death certificate yesterday and it said that the cause of death was cerebral atherosclerosis.
Avatar f tn Both liver and kidney failure can cause severe itching that can lead patients to inflict serious wounds on themselves while trying to relieve the itch. There are a number of interventions to make a patient more comfortable in the end stages of these illnesses but almost all of them require a hospital setting; the only common at-home helps are special beds, comforting massages, clean linens, loving family and friends, and strong narcotics. Do try to take advantage of home hospice care.
Avatar n tn I read that this was the beginning signs of death. we called the hospice nurse and she came and said that he was actively dying and she though that he was throwing up blood, not bile, but they do not have the stuff to test it and see if it was blood or bile. He also had a dark spot by his tear duct, which I think could have been blood also coming from his eye. We got his death certificate yesterday and it said that the cause of death was cerebral atherosclerosis.
Avatar f tn I understand it takes about 40 seconds for a person to die of asphyxiation What I cannot find out is when you die of emphysema do you suffocate of die of asphyxiation? So, when you die of emphysema do you suffocate or die of asphyxiation and what do they each feel like. Does anyone have any feed back on this? My very best to all of you.
Avatar f tn The experience I had with Hospice left me regretting that I had not allowed them to asist in the care of my son. After the new company took over, it was all about $$$$$. Several times they told me I was spending too much time in the patients home and was not being productive. They went as far as saying I wasn't being productive. Long story short, I was terminated 10/3/08 for poor job performance.
Avatar m tn I donĀ“t really understand the stages of copd and the hospice tell me that it is very difficult to judge how long a person will live with this disease. Do you think from my very unprofessional description that I will have Mum for long, or do you think her prayers to be with my dad will be answered? Thank you for listening to me.
Avatar f tn My husband died last week after 12 hours of horrible suffering. Vitas Hospice of Orange County would give him only methodone and I was told by a nurse AFTER his death that he should have had morphene . Now I am nearly suicidal with regret. How can I live with the guilt and is it warrented?
Avatar f tn .. but late term hospice can be in the home also, we had a hospice nurse in my mother in laws home the last few days when she was dying of cancer, they sent her home from the hospital to die...
Avatar f tn Not organ donor (official on paper) Organ donation refuse Treatment refuse Death assistance __________ DWD Air embolism injection Dehydration Dctr Ag _____ 21 D 41 - 61 40 D 60 - 80 Medications __________ Morphine Lactulose Advil Amoxicillin/Penicillin/Kanamycin whatever-cycline/whatever-cillin/whatever-mycin Lidocaine/Benzocaine Hospital Info __________ Hospice/Palliative Care ' Six months or less Heptrnal Syndrme ' No urne - 2 or 4 weeks Urne - few mon
Avatar f tn Hello JudyAnn, Welcome to our little corner of the world where everyone will understand what you and your daughter are going through. First let me tell you how sorry I am that she has progressive MS. She is very fortunate to have you as her advocate - we all need someone at our side on the good and the bad days. I would strongly recommend that you find a pain management doctor to help with the pain.
Avatar f tn Cancer is rated in stages 1-4, Stage 1 is the first Stage 2 is the second., with Stage 4 being the final , by this time it as spread to other areas of the body and the patient is too weak to continue treatment. You and Your mother need to talk about options, 2nd opinion from another doctor, quality vs quantity of life, your moms wishes. I know not everyone likes the Hospice word, but they do wonderful work with the whole family.
Avatar f tn s life due to breast cancer is relative .... sometimes it is and sometimes not. With current care death from any type of cancer is rarely painful .... Hospice services are a wonderful thing and these specialists do everything possible to make one's passing a gentle experience. I can't say that "it" looks like anything in particular ...there need not be any type of obvious lesion in most cases as recurrance happens within other organs.