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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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Mom is wanting to meet with hospice team. Our question is, if she starts hospice due to her congestive heart failure, does this mean they will discontinue the med Lasix (the diuretic that treats fluid buildup due to heart failure)? Thank you!
Thanks Barb, good to know. Mom is currently hospitalized with an infection. Swallowing issues have developed, they believe aspirated food may be the cause of the current infection. Mom is tired of being in pain, she has pressure fractures and mobility issues.
not 100% sure but I do not think the Lasix would have to be discontinued as that is treating a side effect of the disease. And by continuing the Lasix it may lessen discomfort that would come with fluid buildup so Lasix would be used for comfort.
You can ask that question when she sees the hospice doctor. Generally current meds remain unless they have minimal value such as a statin. BP meds should remain.She keeps or may get oxygen. You will also see comfort meds added. Morphine may be given. Yet morphine is also a first line drug during CHF crisis.
Hospice can and will use diuretics for comfort. Adding oxygen helps her get maximum benefit from every breath - like high test gasoline, instead of cheap off brand. Morphine eases the cough reflex if she is having relentless coughing spells, the ones that are exhausting but not bringing up any phlegm. There are some prescription cough meds that can be used, as well. Please explore hospice care, it is much more effective for end stage CHF than medical care focused on prolonging life.
I recommend interviewing several hospice providers. Make a list of questions, make notes and update questions from information learned at each interview.
Make sure mom and you both like what is presented and the people you meet, because it gets very intimate and you want people that make this easier for mom and her family.
Know what everybody involve expects and if those expectations are real and how hospice is going to meet those.
Ask hard questions and pay lots of attention to the answers and attitude. If they are evasive or get offended because you question them, this will continue through the care and you do not want to deal with that during this time.
May The Lord guide you to the best hospice provider, with the most caring staff and give you all strength, courage, wisdom and peace.
Usually we have to curb my sister's hard questions, she won't tolerate evasive behaviors. I wish I could be there, fortunately both of my sisters who have shared caregiving responsibilities will be at the meeting.
DIL, my mom had end stage CHF when she went into hospice. Hospice did discontinue her Lasix - with the approval of her cardiologist, who had agreed to be mom's "hospice doctor", meaning any medication change (addition/removal) went through him for his approval.
They also discontinued some of her other meds. But the intake nurse was quick to stress: just because hospice recommends removal of a medication doesn't mean the patient has to stop taking it if they wish to continue. It *only* means that hospice will not provide it; but if your mom has a prescription plan, she can still get the meds the same as she did before, paying out of pocket, or through any sort of supplemental plan she might have. So even if *hospice* discontinues Lasix, it doesn't mean mom can't continue to get/take it if it helps with fluid retention.
Much like MJ has previously described, my mom's edema actually improved radically once she had stopped the Lasix, and she never had any sort of fluid retention issues after that, so the removal wasn't any big deal for her.
These are all questions that you should be asking the intake nurse when you meet with him/her. Our intake nurse sat with us for over 2 hours going over the program and answering all of our questions.
My mom actually lasted for 2 months in hospice, and during that time I thought they did an excellent job of keeping her symptoms under control and stable, even without all of the medications.
And my mom was ready. When it became glaringly obvious that the only thing the constant revolving door of doctor/hospital/rehab was doing was prolonging this sort of "half life" she was reduced to - house bound, sleeping all day, not having an appetite, not being able to do much because of shortness of breath, and all of the other things that go along with CHF, she was ready to cease the medical intervention and let nature take its course. This is where I felt hospice was an invaluable asset, because they ensured that she was kept comfortable the entire time, especially at the end when she was "actively dying".
I'm sorry for you and your mom to have to go through this. I hope your mom has as good an experience with hospice as my mom did.
My mother was on hospice with CHF for eight months. None of her medications, including Lasix, were discontinued until about three weeks before she died when it was clear they were no longer working.
Interestingly, when we stopped the Lasix, her edema completely went away. I always say my mother died happy, because she had slim ankles again.
My mom has come to dread the constant getting up to relieve herself due to lasix. They did fit her with the suction cup device when she was admitted.
If she gets to go home, she will have to go back to a professional caregiver. The grandson who is currently her caregiver has said diapers are a deal breaker. She is so weak now due to some infection they are tracking.
My dad chose hospice for his end stage congestive heart failure after many years of treatment. His Lasix was continued while on hospice. He had it until two days prior to his death when he lost the ability to swallow pills. Interestingly, once he didn’t have it, there was no sign of swelling and no loss of oxygen level, he seemed exactly the same. A small gift while dying I suppose. Hospice was a godsend for him, lots of good advice and caring help. I wish you all peace during this time
My mom just lost the ability to swallow pills this week. Peace would be wonderful, some of my siblings really struggled when our dad passed away years ago. Over the past year Mom has had moments when she was sure Dad was in the chair with her, holding her closely.
My husband was under hospice care in our home the last 22 months of his life and hospice kept him on all his medications including Lasix until he started his 6 week dying process and he could no longer swallow them.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Not every Hospice company gives the same answers to questions like this, so it may be wise to interview more than one.
And by continuing the Lasix it may lessen discomfort that would come with fluid buildup so Lasix would be used for comfort.
Morphine eases the cough reflex if she is having relentless coughing spells, the ones that are exhausting but not bringing up any phlegm.
There are some prescription cough meds that can be used, as well.
Please explore hospice care, it is much more effective for end stage CHF than medical care focused on prolonging life.
I recommend interviewing several hospice providers. Make a list of questions, make notes and update questions from information learned at each interview.
Make sure mom and you both like what is presented and the people you meet, because it gets very intimate and you want people that make this easier for mom and her family.
Know what everybody involve expects and if those expectations are real and how hospice is going to meet those.
Ask hard questions and pay lots of attention to the answers and attitude. If they are evasive or get offended because you question them, this will continue through the care and you do not want to deal with that during this time.
May The Lord guide you to the best hospice provider, with the most caring staff and give you all strength, courage, wisdom and peace.
They also discontinued some of her other meds. But the intake nurse was quick to stress: just because hospice recommends removal of a medication doesn't mean the patient has to stop taking it if they wish to continue. It *only* means that hospice will not provide it; but if your mom has a prescription plan, she can still get the meds the same as she did before, paying out of pocket, or through any sort of supplemental plan she might have. So even if *hospice* discontinues Lasix, it doesn't mean mom can't continue to get/take it if it helps with fluid retention.
Much like MJ has previously described, my mom's edema actually improved radically once she had stopped the Lasix, and she never had any sort of fluid retention issues after that, so the removal wasn't any big deal for her.
These are all questions that you should be asking the intake nurse when you meet with him/her. Our intake nurse sat with us for over 2 hours going over the program and answering all of our questions.
My mom actually lasted for 2 months in hospice, and during that time I thought they did an excellent job of keeping her symptoms under control and stable, even without all of the medications.
And my mom was ready. When it became glaringly obvious that the only thing the constant revolving door of doctor/hospital/rehab was doing was prolonging this sort of "half life" she was reduced to - house bound, sleeping all day, not having an appetite, not being able to do much because of shortness of breath, and all of the other things that go along with CHF, she was ready to cease the medical intervention and let nature take its course. This is where I felt hospice was an invaluable asset, because they ensured that she was kept comfortable the entire time, especially at the end when she was "actively dying".
I'm sorry for you and your mom to have to go through this. I hope your mom has as good an experience with hospice as my mom did.
Interestingly, when we stopped the Lasix, her edema completely went away. I always say my mother died happy, because she had slim ankles again.
If she gets to go home, she will have to go back to a professional caregiver. The grandson who is currently her caregiver has said diapers are a deal breaker. She is so weak now due to some infection they are tracking.
thanks