I’m not biased toward Gentiva Hospice.  In fact, I’m sure there are other good hospice providers in our area.  However, I have used their services (previously named Odyssey) on three separate occasions and have found them to be helpful and a reliable safety net for my mother’s care.  Not only have they recently changed their name, but they have also become the first hospice provider that I know of that is offering a specialty program for managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia.  Their brochure addresses issues like Sundowning Syndrome, Fall Safety Assessments, State of the Art Adult Briefs, and offer a printed guide for information designed to help families better support their loved one, and deal with the stresses and emotions of caregiving.

If you could use help caring for your loved one, you may qualify for hospice. For more information, contact www.gentiva.com.

I have to report what a great help our hospice nurse is to my mother’s care.  My mother has been experiencing problematic health problems for several months now.  When the assisted living nurse brought it to my attention, we went to see Momma’s general practitioner.  That visit resulted in a few changes but the problem persisted.  We next consulted the hospice nurse, Candice,  who began to diligently research what the problem might be.  She checked for a bacterial infection which turned out negative. She wrote orders and consulted with the doctor at the weekly team meeting whether to discontinue a monthly preventative order that she takes to prevent recurring infections.  They decided to keep that in place and see if the new order solves the problem.  So far, it seems to be working.  I am so thankful that we have help in solving health problems that my mother can’t express with words.  You get a gold star, Candice, for making such a difference in  both of our lives.

Today we qualified for hospice.  We had to drop hospice three months ago when we  moved into a special care assisted living facility (SCALF).  Since we saw my mother’s doctor last week, I asked for an order to be reassessed.  Odyssey Hospice came out and did an extensive interview with me and momma,  gave me an overview of their services and we filled out paperwork.  By the end of the assessment, I was given the news that we were approved.  This means that they will provide support and care for my mother by means of medications, pullups and bed pads, and 24/7 nursing care and all medical equipment related to the terminal illness. She will have a consistent CNA coming 3 days a week to bathe her. I can call on their social worker, enjoy spiritual care and can consult them for medical advice without leaving our facility. Having hospice is like having a safety net.  Maybe you qualify for hospice and just don’t know it.  Look into it.