When interviewing potential long term care facilities, admissions staff told me the health care proxy may be asked if they prefer to hospitalize or not hospitalize their parent. Is this the same as deciding hospice and palliative care? This is the first time I heard this decision must be made by the HCPs.
A person can be treated in a facility.
With Hospice you actually have a Team from the Hospice agency that will come in and check your LO. Weekly a Nurse would come and check vitals and check for any problems and order medications. A CNA would come 2 times a week and give LO a bed bath or a shower or bath and the CNA would order supplies. (Briefs, gloves, ointments, bed pads soaps,...) ((The Hospice CNA would take over what the facility CNA was doing as far as bathing, there can not be a duplication of service))
With Hospice you are also asked if you want a POLST (or DNR) signed. It is not required but a good idea. Without a POLST or DNR the facility and or the Paramedics will do CPR. (POLST also gives option for IV's and Intubation neither one Hospice will do) CPR on an older, frail person probably will not have a good outcome. Good possibility of broken ribs, cracked sternum, maybe a punctured lung the recovery from all this is difficult.
Given the option I would opt for a POLST and no trips to the hospital. And if the person is Hospice Eligible I would get them on Hospice.
It gives you the choice of a DNR plus options of full treatment, selective treatment, or comfort focus treatment. It also includes the option of medically administered nutrition. My mother is at home with a 24/7 caregiver and I have hers on her refrigerator . I have copies to go with her in the event she needs to go to the hospital. Each state has their own form and you can find that online to print/ fill it out and have your physician sign.