I was very surprised to find out that hospice was first start in about 1967. It seems like it would have been something that should have been in place for a lot longer.
It took a little convincing but my father agreed to have hospice come in. Right now they are only coming to his house for visits twice a week. They evaluated him for it last week, however he has drastically gone downhill since then. I visited him yesterday and he is so weak and frail he can’t even stand. They have him on morphine for the pain and are trying to find something to give him so he can eat, he can’t hold anything down. He’s got sleeping pills so he is finally getting a little sleep. The family has been gathering there to help and to help him tie up loose ends. It’s difficult to see him dying like he is. The doctors give him at most 5 months, but in his present condition I doubt we’ll have him for another 5 weeks. It is my hope to have hospice reevaluate his condition and be there for 8 hour shifts. He’s also on oxygen now and needs more medical aide.
I thank hospice for what they are doing, and for helping all of us to let him go with as much dignity a person can have in this condition.