Urgent. What do I need to know in order to get home hospice care quickly? What has to happen?

Can you call the supervising physician’s office?

I believe your doctor has to put you in touch with a hospice service and initiate the request to have it go through Medicare..

Call the person’s doctor.

Edit: most likely hospice will speak to you to answer questions about your different options for care, but you will need an order to start care and Medicare will require a doctor’s order.

If you are panicking and waiting for a doctor to call you back, you can call hospice and see if they can make you more comfortable to anticipate what will happen, how it works, and your options.

I should have done a second post to trigger a notification. See my edit above.

Hospice should have their own physicians who can evaluate a patient.

The fact that many people before me have had this nightmare does not make it easier to bear. But sympathetic support does.

Thanks for all help and good wishes.

I have emailed you some links. Check for them.

@Jeruba My heart goes out to you. Sending you heartfelt best wishes. Let us know how we can help.

@Jeruba I’m so sorry. You have my deepest sympathies.

I regret I haven’t had time to know you better.

I’m so sorry you’re facing this. Sending you my best hopes & love.

Thank you. The patient in question is my husband of 42 years. The last time he was in the hospital, my sons and I were with him almost constantly. Now he’s alone, very sick, and confused. I have to get him out of there.

{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}

@Jeruba I didn’t know he was in the hospital now. To my knowledge, the hospital social worker needs to help you with a discharge plan when they release him.

Talk to every single person you can at the hospital. Doctors, charge nurses, social workers, case managers….anyone. Express to them how very concerned and freaked out you are. That you need help now. I am so so so sorry you are going through this.

I’m so sorry Jeruba.

My heart goes out to you. Years ago Hospice took care of my mother while she was in assisted living. The home took care of contacting Hospice and obtaining there services for me. Wish I could help more, but I think you got good advice from other posters.

@Jeruba I am so sorry. Is there a home hospice in your area? My experience with hospice has been very positive. Both as a health care worker and when family member needed.

@Jeruba….I am terribly, deeply sorry.

Sadly we went through this with my Mother-in-law in March. The hospital had social workers who specialized in this situation.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
(((Hugs)))

We have gone through this with my mother. I had the same feelings, seeing her in a cold bare room without much attention. The hospital people were doing a good job, but visitors were banned and the place was half empty.

We were lucky to be able to move her back to her home in a memory care facility. A hospice nurse visits. Mom is doing much better in a familiar setting with people around.

My thoughts are with yo. This is a tough time to have a loved one in the hospital.

No helpful answers.
Just thinking of you tonight.
[hugs]

I reiterate @raum‘s post.

I second (or third or fourth) the social worker. I work in a nursing home and we have a social worker that handles all kinds of stuff so I know a hospital has to as well. They can help you a ton!

I wish you the best Jeruba you and your husband are in my thoughts.

I’m so sorry Jeruba that you and your husband are having to go through this. I just want to send you my best thoughts to you and your family <3

Definitely talk to the social worker, that person should know how to best assist you.

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind expressions of sympathy and support and your helpful information.

I’ve talked to the doctor, the care manager, and the hospice intake. As soon as they get him past the aggressive treatment for sepsis, we’ll bring him home. I know he’d rather have a quiet week at home than six months in some facility, even if we have to park a hospital bed in the living room.

And with all the covid restrictions, this is the only way I can hold his hand.

Covid, at least, is not on his profile or mine.

@Jeruba I support you totally in the above. Being able to be there and hold his hand his huge!
I am glad you got somewhere. It is so hard when you want to be able to do the absolute best you can for your love, and there are so many mountains to seek and climb to do that.
My heart is with you.

It looks like things are moving along. Glad you have a plan.

Sending you love and support!

@Jeruba So sorry for you and your husband that you are both going through all of this, especially during this time. I’m glad you were able to resolve some of the issues. We often forget how Covid creates other non-covid issues. God willing you both will have more time together and the strength you need. If you ever need to vent just to let off some steam, feel free to PM me. I’m happy to be a sounding board or just an ear to listen.

Hello again, Have you been able to contact whomever could help you in your need?

Jeruba is at the hospital with her husband, he’s in palliative care. She was able to stay with him all night.