A relative has late-ish stage pulmonary fibrosis, needs oxygen in bed, and can’t walk around even with oxygen. He’s getting kicked out of the hospital because they can’t improve him, but he might live another year or two and doesn’t want to pay for hospice. I can’t imagine his wife dealing with all his needs (they’re both in their 70s) but I’ve no idea if there are programs that get him care without leaving his wife destitute. They have a fair nest egg and own their house, but he doesn’t want to ‘waste’ their money on health care. I kinda get it, but also: he needs care.
Anyone know of programs to look at? I’m looking for useful links, but I keep hitting things that either look scammy or like they won’t apply (example: if he is deemed ‘disabled’, doesn’t the govt. basically not care at all until you are broke?)
Just got off the phone with him.
Contact the Primary Care Physician for DNR/DNI forms. Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Intubate orders are color coded, and the advice is to have them in a clear plastic sleeve on the refrigerator of the home. EMTs should be aware of the color coding for the forms, and any relative around during an emergency event can point them out. They should travel with the person, so if they end up going into a palliative care setting these go with them.
Contact the physician/np in charge of their case while in the hospital to inquire about a POLST form. If the hospital has a palliative care nurse or other position, this may be with whom you end up speaking. The POLST form (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) is more granular than a DNR/DNI, and can allow them to be precise regarding their care should they end back up in the hospital.