The HOSPICE team came today to enroll
my mother. The team consisted of two nurses, Olong and Nancy . They were
pleasant and carried huge backpacks. When I arrived, everyone was sitting
around a small table in my mother’s living room. Nancy and Olong were
describing the program and benefits, and explaining what would be different,
insurance-wise and medication-wise with Hospice. Apparently all future
medications are dispensed through Hospice, which may include some changes. My
mother was receptive to the idea but was confused about ‘what would be
different’ with “palliative care.” Both nurses were careful to use terms like ‘comfort
care’ and ‘stay at home care’ rather than ‘end of life’ care. The team is
reachable 24 hours a day and will supply us with an emergency kit to deal with
anything that may come up. I asked about falls and bone breaks. The team can
even treat that at home without surgery or resetting the bone. Amazing.
The nurses left a pamphlet of
emergency, WHAT TO DO’s. From this I learned about some common problems and
behaviors at the end of life. Some of the situations mentioned are: constant
fidgeting and moaning, complaints of pain, acting cranky and moody, having difficutly
breathing, making strange noises while breathing, having a decreased appetite,
refusing to eat, experiencing nausea and vomiting, no longer urinating or having
bowel movements, anxiety, feeling confused and agitated, feeling restless (and
talking about needing to go somewhere, having to leave, and believing someone
is waiting for them,) saying hurtful things, hallucinations (!) acting as if in
a dream world, acting tired, sleeping more, having difficulty waking up,
napping, staying awake all night.
Many of these behaviors mimic dementia, making it all very confusing to know what is going on. Regardless, I think she is in a good place and will be able to stay home no matter what happens.
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