A friend of mine asked me how to get a hospice referral. I suggested she first talk with her mom’s physician to see if he would make a referral. Then search the internet for hospices in their area and interview several.
The doctor provided a referral and my friend made a call to a local hospice — on a Wednesday. An interview was set up by the hospice to come to the house the following Sunday.
Yesterday, Sunday, they had the interview. It was determined that hospice services were appropriate and the agency made an appointment for next Sunday to admit my friend’s mom and begin services.
What in the world is this hospice agency thinking? It took two weeks from the time of the inquiry to see what hospice is and how it can help before services began. That is not the hospice I want to know.
By the time the family has mustered the courage to call, they are usually at their wit’s end. They probably have needed services weeks if not months before they found the courage to call. – And now they will have to wait another two weeks?
What do I think is an appropriate waiting time for families and patients when a referral is made? 24 hours, even on weekends.
Time is the enemy here. Families and patients may not have two weeks to wait for services and for end of life education to begin.
Comprehensive end of life care, which is the purpose of hospice services, is best provided months before death actually comes. Yet the National Alliance for Care at Home (formerly the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization) statistics show that over 50 percent of those receiving hospice care are on service for less than 30 days. This is why you don’t/can’t wait two weeks following a referral before services begin.
Exhausted caregivers, frightened families, and declining patients all have time-sensitive needs. The sooner the guidance and comfort can be given, the better the end of life experience is for all. Hospice provides necessary, comprehensive end of life care. Let’s make sure it is timely given.
Something more about… How Long Should It Take for Hospice Services To Begin After a Referral?
I highly encourage families who are caring for a loved one at the end of life to use my caregiver’s guide, By Your Side: A Guide for Caring for the Dying at Home. This guidebook helps caregivers learn about the dying process, know what to expect and gives caregivers more confidence. It will guide you in planning ahead. Most importantly it helps family caregivers learn ways to care for themselves as they care for their special person.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Indispensable
We purchased this “By Your Side” booklet along w the set. I read them all, re read and referred back over and over through the weeks leading up to my wife’s death. I’m very glad we bought them. They’ve been a great help and blessing. With the info and insights in the booklets I was able to support others on this journey w us. I’m so glad we got these resources. Robert P. – United States
