How to Choose a Hospice Company for a Mesothelioma Patient

When choosing a hospice company to take care of your loved one there are several things I would consider.  

I'm not going to number them because they are all important.  I would want to know if the patient will be see by a doctor no only nurses and how often the mesothelioma victim will be seen by both a doctor and an RN.  An RN should be in to see the dying mesothelioma patient at least once a week. A doctor should be in to see the dying mesothelioma patient once a month.  

Does the hospice company offer continuous care?  This is something good hospice companies have been doing for a few years at least.  It's attempting to provide around the clock care during the very last day or two the mesothelioma patient is living.  This is to provide extra support to the family and cancer patient.  When the mesothelioma victim dies, hospice staff should be there unless you do not want them to be.  

Now some patients die very unexpected or suddenly and it's impossible to predict when death will occur.  But they should at least try. 

And some families don't want this intrusion and that's OK.  It should be your choice. 

There should be an RN on call 24 hrs a day 7 days a week in case the mesothelioma patient has a need or the family has a question about the status of their health or comfort.  

The hospice company should lay out the plan to the family who will be involved how it is they will attempt to keep the patient in the best possible comfort.  This can especially be difficult with mesothelioma patients because of respiratory distress.  Often mesothelioma attacks the lungs.  

The hospice staff should be caring, polite and able to teach the family and patient about what's going on.  Remember you choose the hospice company, they don't choose you.  If you want them out they have to leave.  

Most hospice companies do a pretty good job.  But some much better than others.  So the bottom line is this:  be sure to address all of the concerns that are important to the mesothelioma patient first and then the family with the hospice company BEFORE you make them your company of choice. 
Billy Damore