My father was previously on hospice at home but had breathing complications and was taken to emergency. The hospital indicated dad had pneumonia and part of the reason was the medications he was being given by hospice.
Hospital is currently treating him for the pneumomia but dad has other issues. Mainly throat problem he complains of pain and unable to swallow. Staff there just seems uncaring. Hardly check on him, and just not treating his painful throat problem.
We want to take him to another hospital. The hospital he is at is a regional hospital and its is about 2 hours away from Los Angeles and we would like to take him there. Any advice, suggestions , comments much appreciated.
You do understand that hospice is for people that are terminally ill and have decided that they no longer want treatment to help prolong their death?
This is probably why you are not seeing great treatment. They understand that hospice is intended to stop all the poking and prodding and needless, fruitless treatment.
Please talk to your dad and find out what he wants, because someone decided that he would no longer get treatment. Pneumonia is not the worst way to leave this old world.
I am sorry that you are losing your dad. Please speak with someone that can help you understand this and exactly what hospice does.
It's very difficult to get a lateral hospital transfer, especially if the patient is on hospice. Not to be crass but what would the point of the hospital transfer be? It sounds like your family, your father, the doctor and the hospice agency should have a care meeting to determine what your plan is.
Your dad was on Hospice (what was his life limiting condition that qualified him for Hospice services?).
Hospice is about comfort, not currative care. Pneumonia is often called "The Old Man's Friend" because it is a relatively easy way to die, especially with comfort meds given.
What does the DOCTOR at the hospital say about his throat pain? The staff can't give care that isn't ordered by the hospitalist.
If he has swallowing issues, has he been seen by a speech language pathologist?
You don't get pneumonia from medications, though some meds can suppress breathing keeping one from fully airrating the lungs.
As to which hospital, there is little choice in that. You Dad can likely only be transported by ambulance at this point; that would be to a hospital near you. I think you would not want to pay for heliocopter transport to another hospital, something not covered by insurance, and very costly.
I wish you good luck.
Depending on what other medical conditions he has the last few days, weeks of his life may be spent in a hospital probably on machines keeping him "alive"
Is this what he would truly want?
The pneumonia that he has is probably Aspiration Pneumonia. This happens when food, liquid is aspirated into his lungs. This is a very frequent occurrence with dementia. At is basic, there is a flap that closes off the airway and allows food and liquid to go down the esophagus. With dementia the body does not recognize some foods and liquids so the flap fails to close allowing food to enter the lungs. Thickening thinner foods, liquids, avoiding slippery foods helps but careful monitoring when a person is eating is necessary.
I would think long and hard about putting him through any surgery.
Please seek counseling for yourself, because you can not keep him alive forever and in my opinion, what you are doing now seems cruel and for you. This is not about him any longer, because Alzheimer's steals the person we knew, with no hope for recovery.