You could try calling the hospice people and ask them.

I would guess that you have to call his doctor and call for an ambulance. My understanding (went through this with my inlaws close friend) is that an unattended death (no doctor present) requires an autopsy. But if you can get him taken to a hospital and have his doctor there to pronounce him dead that is considered attended. His doctor should be able to guide you.

My Mom was only on hospice care for four days. When she died,before I called hospice my d-i-l, niece and I bathed her and did her hair and put her in a new nighty for a private family viewing. My older son, my granddaughter, two brothers, an uncle and aunt said there goodbyes. My Mom looked so peaceful and so much like herself unlike she did at the funeral home. I called hospice and after they pronounced her I called the funeral home. It was actually several hours after she passed that the funeral director arrived.

I don't think that someone with all the problems that Rollie has would be autopsied. That is just my personal opinion. It might be different state to state.

Ask his DR...I believe if you call 911 and an ambulance is dispatched , I think they are required to use CPR, even with a DNR ?

If you call the police ,or Sheriff a Corornor will be sent out to legally declare him dead..then you can have a Funeral Home come and get the body.....all of this is so awful to think about , I'm sorry that you are having to think about these things .

Im not sure if it is a state thing or not, but dont believe you need to call 911. Especially if he has already passed, but if in the process of it I think you do need to call them or his dr so that someone will come pronounce him before the funeral home can take him.

If he has a DNR then usually 911 isnt called because they do have to "do" their job, and if he is in the process of passing, and you call them and have a DNR it makes it pretty much null. Usually I would think all you have to do is inform his primary care dr, and if during the evening or after office hours he should have an exchange answering and they will contact him/her (dr) for you.

can I ask a personal question? You dont have to answer, but I struggled with this and was wondering....
If he does pass at home, will you feel strange being in the home after that? I always feared I couldnt go back into the house because emotionally it would be a constant reminder of a horribly sad experience. Does that make sense?? Ironically she didnt pass at home, but it is just as difficult to go into her house now, but I am not sure I could have ever if she passed there.

HUGS
Janel

Janel, I have thought about that and I believe I can stay here BUT I will get rid of the bed and not ever sleep in that room again.

Since Ron "lived" in our living room for 2 years- I have completely
redone it. Only one chair remains that was here a year ago. New wall color, furniture .. everything. It had become the sick room and I couldn't stand it.

My dining room was my Mom's bedroom for two years and she died in that room as well. She made me promise before she died that I would buy dining room furniture after she died with the money she left me. It took me almost a year before I did that but I don't feel bad at all when we have family gatherings and eat at that table. The two years I had with my Mom was a gift to me. I feel her presence in my home but it makes me feel really good. She wanted to die at home and I was able to take care of her until the end so she didn't have to die in a hospital. I spent every night tucking her in and telling her how much I love her. I bought flowers for every week when I went food shopping. She always said she wanted her flowers while she was alive and not on her grave. I had absolutely nothing to regret when she died.

I think the difference with Alzheimers/Dementia is the disease itself. The dying process go on for so many years before it actually takes your loved one. There is anger, grief, regrets guilt feelings all before your loved one leaves you.

If I am lucky enough to survive my husband, I will do like Judy. Our bedroom will be totally redone because that is where most of the bad memories will be. But I love my home and would not want to move as long as I can afford to stay here. I could also use one of the upstairs bedrooms but I don't know if steps will always be easy for me.

Actually ask your MD what is the procedure for a home death. As long as you have a DNR order signed by MD at home, 911 will not do CPR and will also have police officers who can pronounce. You can also call your local police or sheriff's station to check all this. Why are you no longer with hospice? Perhaps it's time to be reevaluated or try a different company.

I think it might depend on the laws of your state. Here in Alaska if someone is terminal you can get a certificate from your doctor saying so and that the death is expected so when they die all you have to do is call the funeral home to come pick them up.
Now is the time to check and see what you need to do for where you live.

Ok, I just looked it up on line and I will confirm with the doctor tomorrow, it looks like I need to call his doctor FIRST, then the funeral home. Since he is under a doctor's care for a terminal illness it should be straight forward. I shouldn't call 911 or even the police. That is how it appears to be in California.

You are very wise to look ahead at the possibilities. The last thing
you need is to be blindsided by a situation and not have any answers.

Good thinking.

That would have been my thoughts...I knew you didn't want to call 911 because they would have to try CPR. and we know we don't want them to be brought back into this torture they are trying to leave.

I think the way Jean Marie did it is nice. Everything is so peaceful when they go, there is no immediate hurry. You can take the time to say your own goodbyes and be able to clean him up if you want or need to. I thought I might feel strange doing that, but he looked so peaceful and I did not. The nurses came in and cleaned him up and put on a clean gown. I proceeded to pack up his things while we waited for the funeral director. It was such a huge relief and yet very sad. I'm still having my moments and there are things I wish I could change, but we can't so we have to accept things and go on.
You will know what to do and I think you too will feel the relief if he does pass at home. Carl spent most of his time in the family room down stairs where he slept in his lift chair. his own bathroom was down there too. It seems to be the empty chair that bothers everyone. I only go down there to wash clothes or iron.

Looking forward to that big ole bear hug...xox Carolyn

Absolutely, call the doctor and then the funeral home. Do not call 911 or an ambulance. I learned that with my mother. I will explain when I see you in Vegas.

Since Ken was in Hospice at home They had me call them first and they took care of everything. I had made arrangements with a funeral home a few day after he came home they said call no matter what time and they would come get him. They gave us a couple of hours before they took him. His daughter was trying to get here but didn't make it by 2 hours.He had lost a lot of weight but when he died he looked so healthy, He even had rosy cheeks. It was like a weight had been lifted.My sister and straightened up the blankets and opened the windows, it was a beautiful fall day. I had requested a pastor to come out through hospice and we did a prayer and all the grand kids and kids were there.I agree it is good to have everything lined up.

WOW...where am I? . You are right on Deb to be thinking and planning ahead.

I would have said call the Dr first and then the funeral home....but since this is preplanning I would ask my Dr now so you absolutely know you are correct. Perhaps by that time you will be in Hospice. I really think you should give them another call, or a different one.

Although I will be honest the other day when I had my problem, I didn't call hospice I called family.

When a crisis hits , you think you know what to do but often panic sets in so it is very good that you are planning ahead.

luv you.....Sherri