Episode Details

203 Facing Hospice Concerns: Stories and Solutions

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, shares two recent conversations highlighting common hospice challenges. In one case, a grandparent was admitted to hospice only 10 hours before death, leaving little time for family education; a caller described being told to "just give them more" medication without clear dosing guidance, underscoring the need for better instruction and repeated follow-up calls for clarification. In the second case, an only child caregiver needed a medical procedure and worried about being unable to physically care for a parent; Marie discusses contacting the hospice team for help, including respite care options such as short-term nursing home placement through Medicare, as well as self-pay adult family homes, nursing homes, or CNAs, noting costs and limited resources. She reminds listeners hospice is not typically a full-time caregiver, suggests using Medicare.gov to find and compare agencies, and encourages reaching out or switching providers if needs aren't met.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer

00:28 Meet Your Host Marie

00:42 Story One Late Hospice Referral

01:32 Medication Guidance Needs

02:51 Story Two Caregiver Crisis

03:47 Respite and Care Options

05:05 Keep Calling Hospice Team

05:26 Hospice Is Not the Caregiver

05:54 Finding and Switching Agencies

07:00 Closing Thoughts and Contact