Hospice stages of death patients
Common Questions and Answers about Hospice stages of death patients
death
My Dad is at the very end stages of liver cirrhosis. He has been being drained as a result of ascites for months now but has been too weak to go in this time. He is not eating and barely drinking and the fluid has built up over the last few weeks. He does not want to go into hospital and has told the doctor he wants nature to take its cause now. How could he die? Fall into a coma, or could he experience a painful death? He wants to be at home, but he is comfortable for now.
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.
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?
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.
I am a Hospice nurse and what I tell my families and patients is that truthfully the death and dying, and life processes, are so unpredictable. Usually until the last few days, I do not like to predict. What I know for myself, and what I know for Hospice policies, is that we need, and like, to have all things in order, estate issues and all, right away, immediately upon admission to Hospice, no matter how close the patient may be to death.
When the doctors in the hospital found that haldol was used to make her comatose,her heart medications were withdrawn and refused to be continued dont they have an obligation to my mother?Does Hospice have any obligations to the withdrawal of medications? Can the GP three weeks after an appointment with the cardiologist sign an affadavid that my mother has six months or less to live?He did not even call the cardiologist.
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.
I work in hospice and have had many ESLD patients over the years. I'm going to suggest that if you consider hospice, one of the questions you'll need to ask the admission nurse is whether they will tap (remove fluids) as a comfort measure. Stress comfort. We don't normally do invasive, curative or restorative procedures but can make exceptions when the goal is relief from symptoms, pain or discomfort.
I was reading on here and saw many mentioned they received care from Hospice. If I may ask, do you mind telling me which Hospice, When they told me that it was time , I said "NO" . I knew if allowed them to come into my home that death was around the corner. I actuall worked Wednesday and left for Smokies. We ended up In Helen, Ga. He was in awe. I pushed him in the wheelchair down to to picnic area for awhile, and neither of us said anything.Thursday, his G-Tude came out.
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.
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.
Hi, I am a hospice nurse. Don't let the word scare you, it tends to have a negative connotation. As a hospice we help not only the patients but the families. Have you thought about talking to your mother about one or asking the doctors about further information? Hospices can guide you through all the processes as 18 is a very young age for you to be going through this. What Hospice does as try to make life as easy as we can for the patient and the family.
Liver problems (rarely, liver function worsens) including an increased chance of liver failure in patients with cirrhosis. Patients with both the hepatitis C virus and HIV have an increased chance of liver failure during PEGASYS treatment. Change in a blood test that measures liver inflammation occurs more often in patients with hepatitis B. If you have a rise in this blood test you may need to be watched more closely with additional blood tests.
The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care states that palliative care is interdisciplinary, with a focus on care of providing optimal functioning, relief of suffering, and support of optimal quality of life for patients and their families regardless of the stage of disease or need for other therapies.
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.
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.
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.
Hospice does not speed up death, nor does it unnecessarily prolong life - hospice care is to make a dying person comfortable - sometimes that's all that's left to do. Everyone goes differently, and for some patients the last few days or weeks can be painful, and the right thing was done by sparing your mom any unnecessary pain and suffering. Your mom was in good hands. I can only hope that the same is done for me should it come down to it.
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 .
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