How to choose a good hospice in home care?

Its a lot like skilled nursing  The basics are:

profit versus non-profit, well for profit is for profit so more temptation to cut corners if that makes sense. All the places I have considered and dealt with are not for profit.

In either case, check licensing in your state.  That will often come up if you simply google the entities name.  Don't be automatically freaked out by a poor review if it only comes from one person--the last skilled nursing place my mother was at had someone post a nasty review but it was very clear when we visited that the person had a bee in their bonnet.

check the name with your local Better Business Bureau.

go in person--does it smell funny---if the place reaks of urine or individuals this may mean people are not getting toilet assistance.  That sort of thing can very quickly lead to bed sores.

Is the staff communicating directly with residents or talking to each other as though no one is there.

Once your mom is in the facility, vary the timing of your visits at different times.  don't visit at the same time each day and even say loudly you are coming at X time but show up at X minus 3 or whathave you.  Its the patients that have no regular visitors, that seem abandoned that are the most vulnerable.

many hugs on this difficult journey.

In my area hospice is mostly in-home with visiting nurses.  In-patient facilities are generally used only for respite care.

I am one of the few who had a HORRIBLE hospice experience......lost my baby brother to a brain tumor, October 2010. The hospice care was so inadequate and unprofessional.

I would go with non-profit......and someone who has a Master's Degree or above in counseling psychology (not a social worker).  Family issues may arise that you never saw coming.

interview...and ask for a list of references to contact.  then contact them.  read their reviews online.  call the hospice regulatory board in your state to see if they've had any complaints filed against them.

 then trust your instincts.

i hope you find THE perfect care your beloved deserves.

michele