Hospice

[Anonymous]

Can anyone share their experiences with hospice programs in the close-in Maryland suburbs (e.g., Silver Spring, Chevy Chase)? Needing information that is based on personal experience. . . . Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I personally haven't but know many people who have. Everyone says they are a Godsend.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. I need information for my mother. It's so difficult.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I can't give you specific information about MD hospice, but I will second the "Godsend" comment. I have helped two close family members die with the aid of hospice. People are often reluctant to have them in because it is an admission that "the end" is near. But they really know their stuff and will help you keep your mother as comfortable as possible. They will answer questions at all hours. They will also support you emotionally and let you know what to expect as her disease progresses. Please take advantage of them. Good luck and God bless.

[Anonymous]

My only experience is with one much further out but they were amazing. They went above and beyond for the resident/patient (our situation required care at the hospice house at that point) and also provided support for the entire family -- something unexpected but also much needed at the time.

[Anonymous]

I can't help you with MD Hospice, but we used Hospice in a different state. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, and she lived with us (I was in high school at the time). Hospice was wonderful coming to the house. One of the workers met with me and my siblings to help the grieving process, etc. Very very helpful.

[Anonymous]

I have very limited experience with hospice but none with hospice in MD. But I wanted to say that I am sorry that your mother is in need of hospice care, but glad that she is getting it. I hope she is able to remain comfortable and well cared for.

[Anonymous]

both of my parents passed away at casey house in MoCo. 5 years apart. my mom had chosen to go there (w/ dad's help, as he had visited while mom was still in the hospital). she didn't want us to have to think of our family home as the place where she died, so didn't want hospice at home. 5 years later when my dad became terminally ill, he was not able to make any decisions. my sister and i (both in our 20s) had to do so for him. we have very positive feelings about casey house and the majority of the staff there. now, i can't imagine having had my parents anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

and ps- i'm the one with both parents who passed away at casey house. meant to say also- good luck, and i'm sorry that you/your family/friends will be in need of hospice services...

[Anonymous]

sorry, one more thing that i found helpful, read a publication called "hard choices for loving people"- best explanation that gives caregivers comfort in helping the hospice process.

[Anonymous]

This is timely for me. I am mainly concerned about the expense of hospice care, and I haven't made myself do the research yet. Grandmother is declining fast, and living with family. They are just exhausted caring for her. But they are also very, very poor, and cannot afford extra out-of-pocket expenses. Someone mentioned that some hospice care is free and provided by volunteers. Can anyone help with additional info? This is PG county, MD.

[Anonymous]

Hospice isn't necessarily free, and she has to actually be dying fairly soon.

[Anonymous]

"Fairly soon" is rather relative -- my experience is in a different state but I believe it was life expectancy of less than a year. Quality of life would be improved for many patients if they were given hospice earlier in that year rather than in their final days.

[Anonymous]

We used Montgomery Hospice and had a very good experience. Our only regret (and its a biggie) is that we waited too long to start. Sometime pain and symptom management is tricky and can take some time. We waited too long and although it provided a lot of benefit, I believe our relative would have had a more peaceful and comfortable passing if we had got hospice on board sooner. Ideally, we should have started hospice before there were a lot of problems to actually manage. FYI, for the poster who is concerned about cost: I do believe that all hospice care is covered by medicare. You must be diagnosed with a condition that is likely to lead to death within 6 months. I have a relative who is a hospice nurse in a another state and many of her patients are extremely poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is timely for me. I am mainly concerned about the expense of hospice care, and I haven't made myself do the research yet. Grandmother is declining fast, and living with family. They are just exhausted caring for her. But they are also very, very poor, and cannot afford extra out-of-pocket expenses. Someone mentioned that some hospice care is free and provided by volunteers. Can anyone help with additional info? This is PG county, MD.

My memory of how it worked (in VA, so MD could be diff) is that if your grandmother is on medicare, medicare would pay for hospice. I believe that in our situation almost everything was included once hospice approved the person. Sorry to hear about your grandmother.