Expert: Paula Damgaard - 8/3/2010

Question
My grandmother has moderate Alzheimers, lives with her older husband. Dr mentioned "hospice", how can hospice help? I thought it was just for the dying? Will it be harder to put her in a nursing home if she is on hospice?

Answer
Hi Geri,

Hospice in the broad sense is for dying.  And your grandmother is going to die, so are we all!  The disease she has is a progressive disease that in the end will be what makes her die if she doesn't die from something else along the way, like a pneumonia (best thing that she could get.  Used to be the "old people's friend" til we got all these high powered antibiotics and are keeping people alive for longer periods).  

Because she has this progressive disease Hospice can come in and provide support for the family, help cover the cost of her medicines, supply a nurses aide to help bath her or sit with her and send volunteers to help keep her entertained reducing the burden on your grandfather.  

It shouldn't be a factor in placing her in a nursing home, in fact most homes like it because all of the "perks" come with her.  Meaning, the aide, volunteers etc. so less work for them.  Hospice will help to give her last days/months/years more quality which will be a good thing for her.  And you.  

So give them a try.  Remember that if you don't feel like the people they send are helping you, you can always request them to send someone else.  

I hope you have a great experience with them.  As will all things there are good ones and not so good ones.  Remember you are ultimately in control of what is going on and it is your families desires that they should meet.

Take care and I wish you well.  Paula