Hospice care company

[decor8]

If anyone has experience, good or bad, with any hospice services, please let me know your opinions.

My dad has been fighting lung and kidney cancer for over a year and we got word today that the chemo is not working and it is time to look into hospice care. The doctor gave us some names, but I would like to have more than a name and number to make a decision. Any info. would be appreciated. This is the first time I have dealt with this and I am overwhelmed to say the least.

And to the lady at Wendy's that overheard my phone conversation and then witnessed a complete breakdown while I tried to tell my 4 year old that sometimes mommies and daddies get sad and cry too...thank you for your kind words. It is amazing how sometimes people just know what to say at the right time. She was one of those people...so if you are by chance reading this, thank you for just being kind enough to walk over to me and tell me that you were sorry. There are some great people in this world and often we focus too much on the bad. You never know what someone is going through when you cross their path. Sorry for rambling, but she really touched my heart by taking time to care.

[Texangela]

I'm so sorry about your dad. . I don't have any recommendations, but one of my best friends was a hospice social worker for years. I'll ask her for some referrals.

Again, I'm so very sorry.

[bluesea718]

I don't have any experience with this....I just wanted to say that I'm so very sorry.

It's shocking to me that a doctor could be so impersonal as to just hand you a list of names and numbers of hospice care providers. Why didn't he just tell you to look in the Yellow Pages or Google it?

Again, I'm very sorry about your dad.

[RedRaiderFriscoGuy]

Decor... so sorry to hear about your dad. Is your dad in a nursing/retirement facility? If so, I would speak to their social worker and ask for his/her thoughts about a hospice provider.

I've worked with a couple of different hospice providers and I can tell you that they are basically all very similar. What matters to you the most is the nurse that will be caring for your dad. My advice is to call several on the list that was provided to you and set up a meeting. They will want to send out a rep or "spokesperson" for the company... insist that the nurse that will be caring for your dad comes too. Make sure that one nurse will be assigned to your dad's care... some will just float any available nurse around so you don't know who will be caring for your dad. A good hospice nurse will provide his/her cell phone number to you.

Just remember, with hospice, you are in control. If you feel that your dad needs more attention/care... let them know.

Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions.

[Singapore Sling]

I am so sorry, decor8.

[friscoexport]

I don't have personal experience with hospice in Frisco/Collin County but my dad was under hospice care in Wichita Falls last July for the last 6 weeks of his life. They were excellent. WF Hospice had an in-patient facility, which we needed for his final 24 hours.

There are non-profit and for-profit hospice providers. They both can be good. I have heard good things about Vitas Hospice, which is for-profit. VNA serves Collin County and they are not-for-profit. Just interview the ones you are considering as suggested above.

May God bless you in your search.

[Delta-TX]

My Mom and I faced this 4 years ago with my Grandma. At that time there weren't many hospice facilities in the DFW area. We ended up getting a hospice company to provide care for her at Prairie Estates here in Frisco. The hospice company provided the care but my Mom had to pay for the room. Medicare pays for the hospice care. My Grandma was in her final days so the doctor ordered 24/7 care. I will try to find the name of the hospice company that took care of her. They were wonderful.

[lucas mccain]

decor8,
Sorry to hear. I've been through what you are just beginning. It's not fun.
You really have to start meeting with a few consultants to see who you and your dad click with. My mom chose hers and they became friends over the six months that they knew each other. I think that's important. I don't know if she still works there but her name is Rosemary Thomas with Vitas. She would stop by every week or so and visit with my Mom. Near the end, there were more nurses coming by more frequently. They were very helpful to me especially because I was taking care of her by myself at that point. I suppose each person has there own experiences so I would start by making sure you feel comfortable with your consultant. They are the ones who can help you the most with different things you may need, so make sure you get along with them. Of course it will help if your Dad does also.

Hang in there. Stay strong. I hope you have more family support than what I had.
Prayer for you...
Nahum 1:7

[FriscoSky]

I am so sorry you are facing these decisions. I don't have any answers, but I wish you and your loved ones peace and grace in the days ahead.

[Missioncreek]

http://hospicecompassus.com/

I've been a hospice social worker and this is the company I chose for my husband in 2010. Simply stated - expert, professional care.

Lynda