My 95 year old Mom lives with me and has Parkinson’s and dementia. She does have round of clock care but is increasingly having difficulty walking and is very depressed. She was very independent at one time and is really struggling with her decline. Would hospice be appropriate for her?
Generally most neurologists go by stages 1-5.
Determining each stage is difficult most are 2-3 years except for Stage 1 or 2 which could be 5 years.
Many people with PD don’t reach stage 5 as falls and aspiration pneumonia are the most common causes of death.
At stage 5 most people cannot walk anymore and are bedridden, get infections, pneumonia or different co-morbidity is present, like cancer, or heart problems.
PD assessment is based on all those factors and years of disease which on average is 16 years.
You certainly could/should if you are MPOA discuss palliative care with both your Mom and the Docor who can enter her into that specialty care where comfort is the MAIN goal but all other options are also on the table.
I think there’s a misconception that you need a doctor’s referral for a hospice evaluation. You don’t, but you do need a doctor’s order to be admitted to hospice care, which can be done after that evaluation if the patient qualifies, generally meaning they have a six month life expectancy. So if you want, you can do some research and find a well respected palliative/hospice group in your area and contact them yourself to request a home evaluation or you could go through her physician. If they know your mother well, it shouldn’t take more than a phone call or a portal message on your part. Either way, I would get started to get that additional support. Take care and let us know how things go.