Hospice homecare? I have an ill parent that needs it. How does it work?

She is unable to feed herself. I think she might also need an IV tube. Can a nurse come home and do that?

Call Hospice now as it sounds like you are about two months past needing their help and expertise.

Here is a great web page that describes their services and will answer many of your questions. There is also a local hospice resource list to find your available local hospice resources.

http://www.hospicenet.org/index.html

Why has your parent's Dr not already gotten hospice involved? good luck to you both

their doctor or nurse can get hospice to come for an evaluation and determine what might be needed. they can make a referral to different companies depending on their needs, insurance etc. if in the hospital the social worker can help get all this set up.

Call your local health department. Hospice is only for patients who are terminally ill and have been give 6 months or less to live. If this is the case call the health dept. they will get your parent set up at no charge to your family and they are wonderful. They came in for 3 of my grandparents. And yes they can do iv's.

A hospice referral comes from the doctor. It is for terminally ill patient with around 6 month left to live. What the other lady was referring to was home care through a home health agency. It can be through the health department or an independent home health agency. There is a cost for it though unless you are on medical assistance through the state. It does make life better for everyone involved. I don;t think there is a patient cost for hospice care if you can't pay for it. If you have insurance, the insurance is billed for it.

Well once they get on Hospice, an RN, will come out once a week
do vitals, & assement on the patient, then talk to you about the condition.they will furnish everything you need , they may be able to get an aid to come & feed her, I have a couple of bath aides with my Mother who can not bath herself, they come every day
I don't have much experience with feeding tubes but my RN,
said they have to be cleaned & areated,every couple of hours.
but they only do that as a last resort.Use feeding tubes, she suggested , giving her liquid food ,that she can drink, V8 juice,
milk shakes, smoothies ect...ect.....

If all she needs is an IV she might not need Hospice which is for terminally ill. Call your local hospital(s) and ask them; they all have access to Hospice. You might also try to find a home health agency and have an RN come to evaluate your Mom.