Hospice

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What do you think about hospice? Do you think that MDs and nurse practioners abuse the concept of hospice, do you think that in some instance they push for hospice too soon? I always thought that it is extremely difficult to qualify for hospice and it really takes someone to be terminal before getting aproved for those types of services (since all the meds and treatments are covered) I have a patient who is 90 years old, full blown dementia, family took her off antidepressant since they believe the medication is too expensive (around 100 per month), she is also on haldol for agitation and temazepam for sleep, used to be able to bear partial weigth, lately she developed slight knee contracture and is now wheelchair bound, her apetite is ok, healthy heart, healthy kidney and liver, they say they want to make her comfortable,she is not in pain, just agitated due to dementia. Do they mean sedating her?

In total agreement with leslie, a wise and thoughtful voice

on this hospice forum for years. I have experienced some

over-utilization of hospice over the years with the elderly,

especially since the Medicare crackdown on home health

services some years back. Too many greedy for-profits have

watered down hospice, giving a bad reputation.

True hospice services are under-utilized, which may be somewhat

blamed on the bad reputation, but also on a society that still denies

death.

With advocates such as leslie, and many of you here, let's hope

for better utilization of hospice services.

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