My 93 year uncle died a painful death two plus years ago

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16. Also people don't realize that hospice care can be for a long time

My uncle had a stroke and gradually became less and less able to function, probably due to dementia or Alzheimers. When he got so bad that my aunt and cousin (who lived in the other part of the multi unit house) could not care for him, they arranged for hospice at home. It lasted over two years - far longer than anyone thought he would last and than my aunt expected hospice care to continue.

When my Dad was in hospice, my aunt told us not to worry about how long he lasted, that hospice would take care of him however long it was needed.

The other part is the cost - though when Dad was transferred from hospital palliative care to hospice, the hospice people told us that while under hospice care Medicare covers everything but while under the hospital care, there is a 20% co-pay. Dad was in the same unit, with the same doctors and nurses, but changing from hospital to hospice saved Mom a lot of money.