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• January 27, 2012 2:35 p.m.

  I was very surprised at the cost of hospice care in my area. They charge a per diem rate, regardless of number of visits, that equals about $6000 per month. In my state, there are no 24-hour in-home or in-patient hospice services, only home visits as needed by an LPN. I have private insurance and am too young for Medicare. Insurance covers hospice at 80%, so that leaves me with $1000 per month out of pocket. To get coverage under my insurance for hospice, I must waive my right to call 911 or be admitted to a hospital. Hospice is not such a great deal for me, although others I know had free hospice care.

  - Karen

• December 31, 2011 1:22 p.m.

  My husband has just been told that he has stage 4 lung cancer and it has scared me to death as i'am not sure where all of the answers are goint ot come from. He has already started dto take Chemo and I'am interested in the idea that Medicare will help with Hospic care. Don't know much about that, just that we can't do it by ourselves.

  - Lela

• December 29, 2011 10:25 a.m.

  Doris- If your husband has end stage COPD, hospice can be a wonderful help to both of you. They can assist with oxygen, comfort measures and other needs at home. Ask his care provider for a referral to hospice. Hospice care is for anyone, not only for cancer patients.

  - Sheryl

• December 22, 2011 9:11 a.m.

  We utilized our local not for profit Hospice for my 90 year old mother who had Parkinson's and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. They offered a beautiful homelike inpatient facility for respite care. The staff and volunteers we encountered on our journey were amazing. Hospice is NOT just for cancer. If you're struggling caring for a loved one at home please ask your physician about a referral to Hospice. They provide needed equipment as well as support. It's also possible to come "off" Hospice if needed and to be readmitted at a later date. Their loving care,concern, and support was a blessing for our family.

  - Deb

• December 22, 2011 7:27 a.m.

  I know this is for cancer patients and caregivers, but my husband has advanced COPD, not cancer. It is much slower and very excruciating, both for him and me. There is no way to predict how long he has; he also has heart disease. I would like some help on a daily basis, but doctors haven't mentioned Hospice yet. This disease isn't as much about pain as about breathing, but I could really use help!

  - Doris

• December 17, 2011 9:11 a.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in May of 2009. He passed away in September 2010. From July to September, hospice was there for both of us. I cannot begin to tell you what I would have done without the nurses, social workers, doctor, etc. They were gentle, offered suggestions to make sure my husband was comfortable at all times, hugged me when I needed it and even if I didn't. They were the ones I called when he passed away. And they kept in touch with me for 13 months after my husband died. I'm sure my story is not unusual, but I could never have gotten through that time without them keeping me grounded and moving forward. God bless all the hospice nurses, doctors, social workers, and everyone who works at hospice to make those last days bearable.

  - Marlene

• December 15, 2011 9:40 p.m.

  Hi I am a cancer patient and a hospice RN. I think it would be great if every cancer patient and family could have a referral visit just to understand how hospice works, even before you might need it. I think many times people think it is only for the very end of life, but it is not. Second, I strongly agree with 2 of the other posts, if you are the caregiver let the hospice staff know what you need and want to know. I personally want patients and families to be able to understand what is happening and what to expect so they can put their energy into whatever their goals are for the time remaining. YES, YES check out all the hospice programs in your area. Another valuable question is "How long have they been in this area?" "Are they a community based not for profit hospice?" In the US many for profit hospices now exist and their mission and goal is to make money, this is not true of community based services. Also, some have inpatient facilities and some do not. Thanks for this great discussion. I wish you all peace during the holiday season however you celebrate.

  - Thyra

• December 15, 2011 9:00 p.m.

  My Dad was in scared Journey for 13 weeks. He got the most wonderful, caring Nurses anyone could hope for. They are still my angles on earth. Now they are caring for my Mom at home. They help me understand the process of quality over quanity. Love everyone ther.

  - Connie

• December 15, 2011 3:25 p.m.

  Please be aware that there are differences among hospices. I wish that I had checked more carefully before my husband entered the program.

  - Eleanor

• December 15, 2011 2:38 p.m.

  Shirley, If you feel that Hospice is not keeping you informed, speak to them, as you are the caregiver and need to know so that you can formulate your care giving asction plans, they may even be helpful in that regard.

  - Dallas

• December 15, 2011 12:20 p.m.

  My husband has Pancreatic Cancer and it is now in the liver. Just this week we started with Hospice and are very pleased with the entire team. No question is a dumb question. They are compassionate and there for anything. It is hard to begin with Hospice but I can see where this is going to be a blessing for all of us.

  - Jane

• December 15, 2011 11:57 a.m.

  My wife just passed away due to breast cancer. She was on Hospice care for 6 months and they did a wonderful job of keeping her pain free. Communicating with them may was difficult at times but after a meeting with them I resolved that problem. Medicare pays for all costs of hospice care including drugs required to keep the person PAIN FREE

  - jon

• December 9, 2011 10:27 p.m.

  Husband is currently under Hospice care having colon cancer that has spread to liver and lung. Am very happy with the care givers we have, very caring and kind to both my husband and myself. Times I wish they would tell me what is happening, to me the unknown is terrible.

  - Shrley