My mom is currently under Hospice. The only regular set appointment we have with them is the nurse, who at our request, only comes 1 time a week. Last week the social worker called 1 hour before the nurse and wanted to know if she could come at the same time as the nurse. On the message she said if she didn't hear back, she would just come. She didn't come nor have I heard from her again. Yesterday, when the nurse was there (at 4:00), she told me the "ONLY" time the Nurse Practioner could come was today @ 9:30 a.m. That gave me less than 24 hours notice. Not only am I the only caretaker for my mom but I provide the insurance for my husband and I which requires I work 30 hours a week. I feel like I had no choice but to adjust my schedule since it was the "ONLY" time she could come. Am I wrong in expecting they should work with/around my schedule? I understand due to the nature of their work, their schedules may change and I am okay making the changes when a family is in a crisis situation. What are your experiences with Hospice. Is it normal for them to give such short notice? I'm about as stretched to the limit as I can be.
I am not talking about when someone is delayed by a patient's needs, but instead the nurse had her kids that day, etc. (Allowing personal lives to interfere with getting to the patient without arranging for a replacement is, imop, unprofessional).
I respect the medical professionals, but sometimes they too have issues that need correcting. Mom Mandi was doing her best and was put out by the social worker, etc.
The hospice team and the caregiver and the client should be able to work together after settling in to a plan, and yes, I agree, things can change so people need to be flexible. I am not taking sides. And then, I am not a hospice professional.
I do not have a family member on hospice. People on here have said that hospice goes to the nursing home, not to the home, but that is their experience. My experience is that hospice comes to the home and they are are so very good that now, people are not only comforted, they live beyond the 6 months!
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Why do we accept the need for some flexibility in other services we order, but expect a worker whose client before us might have a critical and time-consuming need, or whose client's caregiver might be in total meltdown and needs some compassion, to show up at an exact time?
Sometimes when the nurse visited my husband it was almost like a social call. She took vitals and checked for bed sores, etc. but if there was nothing needed the call was fairly short. Sometimes some cares were needed and she got it done. Those visits were longer.
Scheduling hospice visits is not like scheduling three cleaning jobs a day, each to take 2 hours. The time needed depends on the specific circumstances of the patient -- and often that can't be predicted even the day before.
Sometimes our nurse showed up a little earlier than expected, because her previous patient had light needs. Sometimes she was later. Sometimes she had to reschedule. This flexibility was a bit inconvenient, but I was sure glad for it when it was my husband who needed the extra time!
The social worker should have called to explain why she didn't come when expected. Death is not scheduled but it has to be addressed whenever it happens. Emergencies happen. I would not fault the social worker for not coming -- but for not communicating the change to you.
Some patients are on hospice for months, some only for weeks or days. The patient population changes all the time, and with it the need to adjust schedules.
Frankly, I think the attitude that if the hospice agency cannot meet your scheduling needs you should find another agency is impractical and unrealistic. Yes, they work for you -- and for a large number of other clients who have scheduling needs too. "My needs should always come first" is not looking at the whole picture with compassion.
Yes, if your cleaning person can't meet the schedule you prefer, find a different cleaner. If your hair stylist doesn't have an standing opening at the time you need it, find a different stylist.
Hospice? Understand the complexities of scheduling service and try to work within their framework. State what you want, but don't expect to get it every time. Lots of other clients are stating what they want, too.
Then, there is always the passive/aggressive answer, "oh, I forgot you were coming, that is why I was not home".
These tactics seem mean, however, if they are out to ruin your sanity, let the consequences lie with them. They won't get paid.
I was around when an R.N. tried to help a neighbor with antibiotics, I.V., but the neighbor did not come home from the hospital, instead spent overnight elsewhere. The nurse made it a point to return to do the job.
Lighten up, stop running around to accommodate everyone. It will all get done by them. You just don't work for them.
We n e v e r answer the door.
Or, "SEND SOMEONE ELSE".
The nurses helping us are great, and I'm glad they are being paid well. They deserve it.
I am not putting down Hospice at any point. The fact is, we have to stick together as a whole, give the support as a whole, not just by one person's good review. No one has lived in our shoes, and everyone is different. I understand that and I also love my mom and dad, God above and the USA. All that has given us the pride, determination, love and free will to decide what is best for all of our family/friends/significant others and total strangers.
Be Strong, Be Loving, Be committed and above it all....be true to yourselves, trust your judgements and please, please take care of your heart, mind, body and soul. We truly are sisters and brothers in arms, with a tough fight to battle for them and for each other. Live happy with knowing you are doing your best and Live free with the choices you have to make!!!! Ultimately, they are the right ones!! Trust in yourself!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you and your loved ones!!!!
I know it's hard to schedule, but some agencies managed to do it successfully. So can this hospice company if it wants to keep your business. I don't agree that you have to be subordinate to their demands. Scheduling and balancing workers and client's schedules is a major required support, and agencies need to have people who can handle it.
As to whether hospice "works" for the client, there is in place a contractual arrangement by which Medicare pays for the work which is contracted directly by the family with the hospice. So there is a direct relationship with the agency. I don't think it's inappropriate to consider that hospice is providing a service, for which it is paid, and that it needs to provide scheduling that meets the client's need.
But a collaborative approach is also helpful so that you both can be accommodated. Perhaps you can work out a schedule so that their visits coincide with the times you're home so you don't have to take off time from work.
And I would tell the supervisor at the agency that the worker who never who never showed up will NOT be considered a part of team. Ever.
Yes, I agree it is a wonderful service, which they are PAID to do. They decided to WORK as a nurse, dr, etc and was their choice. But, do not insult everyone's intelligence, by saying they do NOT work for you. Also, like any drs office, practice etc..... they are there to make a PROFIT... or they would not being doing it,... ie, doctor, lawyer etc......
I also agree, they are sent to ungodly places to work, especially with the distance. Any company should have a person in charge of scheduling no matter if it is for services, materials, supplies..... such as a dispatcher.
Again, I do think it is a great service for people, who need the care and mostly for those who are alone. The caregivers are the backbone of all of this, and Hospice is there to provide what service they can or will offer. While a caregiver is NOT paid, but Hospice is through the patient's medicare or any secondary insurance. Usually, the secondary.