Getting a Relative Admitted to a Hospice

jackieblack

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Unless the "serious condition" is some form of cancer, in many areas you have no chance of a place in a hospice.

And even then, there needs to be a space/available bed at the right time


I only know one person who was able to gain a place in a hospice, for most there was simply not a place available, however much 'in need' they may have been

74jax

In the case of my dad, recently in hospital I asked for his specialist and a social worker to be present at the same time. We sat with dad and discuss his end of life plan. He wanted to for at home so the social worker organised a hospital bed and hospice at home for through the night. The doctor arranged his 'just in case' medicine for discharge.

During this meeting they went through care homes available and hospice availability.

I would ask for a meeting with the specialist involved and try and get everyone you can think of at the same meeting.

I found with end of life meetings, everyone did their utmost to accommodate dads wishes.

goingsenile

Hi
Sorry to hear about the situation you find yourself in. I am a senior manager in a hospice and my advice would be to look at your local hospices website and look at their referral criteria for Specialist Palliative Care/End of life Care. In my experience, all hospices require all referrals will come from a Health Care professional e.g consultant, GP, MacMillan nurse, District Nurse etc.. Although your loved one may have a terminal cancer diagnosis they may not be at the stage yet of needing specialist palliative care. Many, if not all Hospices are Charities and therefore have to have strict criteria for admission to ensure those who truly need end of life care can receive it in a timely manner.
As others have advised speak to your loved ones Consultant and ask about hospice care and whether now is a appropriate time or even just to make them aware you would be interested in this in the future. Many hospices also have day or outpatient or at home services which may also be helpful in your situation.
As others have mentioned demand often is more than we can supply which is very difficult to understand for all concerned.
I hope you are able to get help with your individual situation
AJ

scooby088

I think the hospital referred my mother to the local hospice after her terminal diagnosis, mind you at that time i was 17 and it was 24 years ago, i dont think there is anyway round the referral, but you could ask the local hospice or even ask the hospital. I hope you get something sorted.

Hard_Up_Hester

Our local hospice only takes people for a maximum of two weeks they then are expected to be discharged or to have reached their end, then you dependant on someone one in the hospice vacating a bed. We had a terrific battle to get MIL into a hospice, I think the hospital got tired of my constant complaints so basically moved her to the hospice to get me off their back!

mumps

My MIL had been a supporter of her local hospice since it opened. She made regular contributions, sold raffle tickets etc. She phoned up one day and said she was ready and they sent a car for her. I don't know if she got priority treatment because she had been so involved for years but I was amazed.

Armchair23

My husband entered a hospice when he became paralysed as his cancer progressed. It was no longer possible for me to care for him at home or for us to manage his pain .

Other patients at the hospice were there to have their pain meds assessed or for respite care if family were struggling with care needs. And we met a good few people who went home having been stabilised.

I think some of us might have come to think that a hospice is simply a better place to die - and it is if you need their services.
But it's simply not possible for everyone to end their life at a hospice.

My heart goes out to you as you see your father nearing the end of his life, and I hope there will be a path that meets his needs and leaves you feeling that the right things have been done.

Torry_Quine

Surely the thing to do is discuss with the doctor who is in charge, they are the ones who will be in touch with the palliative team and will know the criteria for admission. I know that hospice care is not just at the very end of life but is also for getting pain relief under control for instance.

I think it's shocking to hear that you may be limited in how long you can go to a hospice, maybe it's better when the hospice is NHS.

pelirocco

My dad went into a hospice for a week's respite , he wanted to die at home which he did , my sister my brother and myself had taken in turns to care for him during his last few months, and we were all there during last 2 weeks, he had carers , district nurses and Macmillan nurse visits, he was pain free. I wouldn't have wanted him to die In the hospice

Hermia

pelirocco wrote: »

My dad went into a hospice for a week's respite , he wanted to die at home which he did , my sister my brother and myself had taken in turns to care for him during his last few months, and we were all there during last 2 weeks, he had carers , district nurses and Macmillan nurse visits, he was pain free. I wouldn't have wanted him to die In the hospice

That is lovely that your dad got his wish, but hospices can be 'nice' places (for want of a better word!). I have had three close relatives die in a hospice and they were all wonderful places and the staff were so supportive.