- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 14,264
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- WA
- City
- Seattle
Lenore, yes, you can get a rx and "titrate away." Not so simple with some hospices, but you don't have to have hospice 1) at all or 2) around all the time. They work for you, if at all.
For some here, hospice has been a great help with a self-determined death. For others, it's been a hindrance.
Note also that a PCP or neuro not affiliated with your clinic can write morphine.
If you choose hospice, that is why I advise interviewing them as to their philosophy of things. Since you worked in hospice, I'm sure you know as well as anyone about "don't ask, don't tell" when it comes to the end of life.
For the record, it is not required that hospice be around for any variant of VSED, either. I think that is a myth propagated by the 60-to-0 notion (in terms of nutritional status) which is not generally going to be the variant used by PALS.
This is where communication in advance if not in real-time between the PALS & CALS is so important. There is a point where you measure food, drink, morphine and another point where you don't.
Of course, all this assumes the PALS has a duly-completed advance directive.
For some here, hospice has been a great help with a self-determined death. For others, it's been a hindrance.
Note also that a PCP or neuro not affiliated with your clinic can write morphine.
If you choose hospice, that is why I advise interviewing them as to their philosophy of things. Since you worked in hospice, I'm sure you know as well as anyone about "don't ask, don't tell" when it comes to the end of life.
For the record, it is not required that hospice be around for any variant of VSED, either. I think that is a myth propagated by the 60-to-0 notion (in terms of nutritional status) which is not generally going to be the variant used by PALS.
This is where communication in advance if not in real-time between the PALS & CALS is so important. There is a point where you measure food, drink, morphine and another point where you don't.
Of course, all this assumes the PALS has a duly-completed advance directive.