Average time in Hospice after all Meds fail

[Back2future]

Not for faint of heart but what is average time in Hospice after all Meds fail?

[mrscruffy]

For my father it was 3 months

[tango65]

Nobody knows. I believe it is a very personal thing depending in a multitude of clinical factors. Whatever time it is, in my case I wish it will be short and as painless as possible.

[Birdfeed]

My husband was 2 months.

[Hidden in reply to Birdfeed]

❤️🕊

[NWLiving]

I have wondered that too. There’s the cancer and the side effects from the treatments. When my mom died from brain cancer the doctor said it depended on what parts of the brain were primarily impacted.

[2dee]

Thanks for the question. I'm getting close and want some sense of the process. Does hospice mean that you have completely lost ambulatery mobility?

2Dee

[Karirudy in reply to 2dee]

I believe hospice means you have stopped treatments.

[NWLiving in reply to 2dee]

My guess would be that it depends where the cancer is active. Seems like it might be good to plan for loss of mobility if possible just in case there are some back and forths to the hospital- but I am guessing. Would like to know what other people thank.

[Wongle1]

My hubby was at home he had 7 months after all treatment stopped I believe the fact that he was at home helped a lot but obviously everyone must be where they want to be good luck xx

[jbskiatook]

I don't know what time you could have left but whatever time you have use it widely if you're not right with God get right with God it will make the ending so much more pleasant people knowing where you're going to go after you die and it'll be much better for you also.

[monte1111 in reply to jbskiatook]

I am going to be cremated, so I guess I don't have to dress up. Sorry Shakespeare, no worms for me.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Okay... can I have your old suits?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/26/2021 3:48 PM DST

[NWLiving in reply to j-o-h-n]

Boooooo

[j-o-h-n in reply to NWLiving]

If they fit me..........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/26/2021 7:23 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Suits?

[jbskiatook in reply to monte1111]

I'm going to be cremated also. In fact I've already bought my cremation And I'm hoping I don't have to use it very soon but if so so be it I learned a long time ago that was not afraid of death but I would like to shove a little further down the road.

[NotAlwaysSunshine]

Interview a couple hospice care organizations. I am on a board of a hospice that does not require ending treatment. Terminal disease only. Consider a non profit hospice.

[shuckymesh62]

My husband was in Hospice 3 weeks.

[swwags]

My question is also not for the faint of heart and I apologize in advance if it is crass. For those who are left behind in the household, would it be a more difficult moment for you if your husband passed in his own home or in hospice?

I ask for the sake of my wife as I wouldn't want her "seeing me" in her mind every time she laid her head down to rest or entered the bedroom.

Again I apologize for this question if some find it tasteless.

[Hidden in reply to swwags]

I would say that decision is for your spouse to make and not you. After all you'll be gone and she needs to live in your absence...it may go along way that she was there at the end. That's my 2 cents.

[swwags in reply to Hidden]

Thank you but I didn't mean to imply she would not be at my side regardless of location.

[monte1111 in reply to Hidden]

For 2 cents, my wife would have pulled the plug on me.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

She tried......but the hospital staff caught her.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/26/2021 3:49 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

...and said wait, a pillow is better. Hammer if you're in a hurry.

[Hidden in reply to monte1111]

She would've plugged you

[monte1111 in reply to swwags]

Hospice at home as long as a person can reasonably function. If I can't go to the bathroom by myself, I would want the professionals to step in. If I could afford professional care at home, I would of course do that. My son can't take care of himself. No way he can take care of me.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

If you want I can arrange for your toasting....... do you prefer Light, Medium or Dark?.... BTW do you have any gold fillings?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/26/2021 3:52 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Not biased. Sorry, no gold, but lots of silver and ceramic.

[Hidden in reply to monte1111]

Oh I think in this situation your son will take care of you.

[monte1111 in reply to Hidden]

Yes Sir. I'm keeping one eye open.

[NWLiving in reply to swwags]

So it may depend upon the level of pain you are in and how well that can be managed at home. If it’s well managed seems at home would be best. But if not I have heard great things about our local hospital in terms of managing comfort while allowing the person to pass even with Vol Stopping of Eating and Drinking if that is their choice. Then your loved one is not trying to manage 24/7 pain and discomfort with out the tools knowledge or training.

[NotAlwaysSunshine in reply to swwags]

I asked my husband if he wants to be home or in a physical hospice. He told me he wanted me to decide and do what ever is easier for me. I want him in our home. Difficult conversations are not easy. He did not mind me asking. I'm glad I did.

[mrscruffy]

I moved in with my father at his home for the last 6 months of his life. Made some of my best memories with him at that time. Be sure to get recordings of him laughing and family stories that need to be passed down

[jbskiatook in reply to mrscruffy]

Great idea

[j-o-h-n]

For me..... a house of ill repute for six months......wanna relive my 16 to 16 1/2 year old working days..... Well someone's got to mop the floors.......and peek in on the politicians...Where was the Iphone when I needed it............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/26/2021 3:47 PM DST

[23casa]

My husband was on home hospice for 2 1/2 months. Make sure they have the staff needed and that they'll use whatever meds are required for comfort and pain. It turns out that the national group we used didn't have experience in our area with IV dilaudid. My husband was unable to take morphine. It took several weeks to get his pain under control. I won't name the company because they vary from city to city and state to state. Interview several companies before you make the decision. Also, know what to expect. Our hospice nurse thought we knew what to expect. We were clueless!!!

[Back2future]

I have read 2+ months to almost a year. So I think this is plenty of time to get right with God because when you die its too late.

[nobaday in reply to Back2future]

In Canada my info is that hospice is for people who have typically < 2 months to live. However I have a friend who used it for his partner when needed a few days of respite. There is a family area where families can bring dinner and eat together. A nice place to spend final time with expert pain medication, and understanding staff.

[Boywonder56 in reply to nobaday]

I heard in canada they just put you out on the porch.....and us headed that way....oops...no politics...mea culpa

[ArabianNights in reply to Boywonder56]

My dad is currently in at-home palliative care in Canada. The different in palliative care and hospice is treatment. However, my dad no longer receiving any cancer treatment, except for a blood transfusion if needed which does count as "active treatment".

I find the care in Canada has been amazing. A nurse visits daily as well as a personal support worker. We've had occupational therapists to make sure we have all the equipment we need. Respiratory therapists in case of shortness of breath. If we need anything, the doctor can have it ordered and delivered that same day. We have ability to call a doctor at any time.

[nobaday in reply to Boywonder56]

But all we have in Canada 🇨🇦 is ice snow and igloos. There has to be more global warming to sit outside in a rocking chair. And don’t forget those Polar bears…not as friendly as the Teddy bears where u live…

[jbskiatook in reply to Back2future]

Amen and pray