West Rest Haven

It has been almost 5-years since I lost my mom so I hope changes have been made. However, my mom was in great deal of pain at the end of her life and my family agreed to put her on palliative care. The nurses did not manage her pain well. They waited until she was screaming in pain before finally giving her pain medication. They also told me that she was not allowed to have any foods or fluids. We thought were putting her on palliative care to manage the pain but not limit foods or fluids which they said was necessary to prevent aspiration pneumonia. One RN told me the situation would be so much better if they contracted with Hospice and another RN told me that she had never seen anyone suffer as much as my mom. She told me that they had not appropriately prescribed the medication for my mom's size since was a tall lady at 5'9" My mom also had a decubitus ulcer on her heel which should not have happened. I will always blame myself for failing my mom. However, I hope to at least inform others so they don't have to live with the same regret. Take the time to look into end-of-life issues like palliative versus Hospice care and withholding foods/fluids which is sometimes appropriate but not always. I personally do not recommend a nursing home that doesn't contract with Hospice, but definitely take the time to educate yourself before placing a loved one in any facility.