AMEDISYS HOSPICE AN ADVENTA COMPANY

Amedisys cared for my stepfather a little over a year ago, and I am incredibly grateful for their support. His primary nurse, Adina, along with Tanisha, both provided compassionate, knowledgeable care. It was clear that they do this work out of a genuine calling and not just for a paycheck. Chaplain Adam T. allowed us to have an end-of-life service at my stepfather’s bedside, which he was able to participate in, and I will forever cherish that moment. I cannot thank Adam enough for making that possible. Renée from the bereavement team has also followed up with our family for the past 13 months, offering us tremendous support. I can’t express enough how thankful I am for the nurses at Amedisys, and I pray they continue to find fulfillment in their work, as it is truly needed and deeply admired.

Very unhappy with the care my family member received through Amedysis Hospice. My family member needed urinary catheter care. Nurse came out to change catheter. She tried twice to insert catheter. Only supplies she had was one foley kit. She proceeds to ask my family member if she just wanted the catheter left out because she would have to go by the office to get a catheter kit & foley. No bladder training was done because family member unable to tolerate 3 days prior. For 7 days I had no sleep due to getting up every 3 hours throughout the night. My very unsteady, confused, very high risk for falls.. family member going through what she went through for a week was so uncalled for and the fatigue it cause me and my sister was beyond understanding. Was told by Yasmine, Clinical Manager that the Medical Director, Dr. Mozingo would not write order for another catheter insertion. Not sure reason or what changed from Friday (when nurse came out to change catheter and didn't have supplies needed to Wednesday when Yasmine told us .. guidelines not met and they were not putting a catheter back in. My family member endured some unnecessary lack of care and compassion from Amedysis. Every time she woke up every 3 hours wanting to use the bath room I got her out of bed to bedside commode all through night and day. Yasmine came to my home just to tell us my family member did not meet their protocol/ guidelines for catheter. Not to mention my family member is very high risk for falls and the fatigue this has caused caregivers is beyond my understanding. I called Amedysis Office on Thursday asking Yasmine to please reconsider a catheter for my family member and she could not give me answer as to what changed in care from the day the nurse came out to do Foley change and 5 days later MD won't write order. We transfer care to another agency Smokey Mountain Hospice. Yasmine called me back after she received the transfer and asked if they came out and put catheter back if we would stay with them. I truly truly do not understand why they put my family through this. Smokey Mountain Hospice came out on same day we called and inserted Foley. They had proper supplies needed to provide comfort care. Very nice staff and caring. They care for patients and family members. Gave education that was needed. Would not recommend Amedysis Hospice. They do not keep supplies needed. One of my family members nurse staff from Amedysis.. the one that could not reinsert the catheter after 2 attempts -jokingly told me I needed to take one of my family members zanax and that the urine was sterile. Very hurtful to say to someone in a very stressful position of not knowing what was in store for me ... getting up all through night for my very frail and high risk for fall family member. By day 4 of lifting and getting her out of bed to potty chair...I was so broken down. I highly recommend Smokey Mountain Hospice. They had Foley supplies and an educated nurse to provide comfort care and educate me regarding future care for my loving family member.

The ladies that took care of us and my mother during her short time in home hospice were amazing. They were the most caring and respectful nurses. They treated momma like a queen, and even when she was no longer lucid, they talked to her and babied her. They answered every question we had and not one did they act like they didn't want to be there with us. Every single one we had the opportunity to be blessed by went above and beyond their calling. They even got together every morning to pray for all their patients and the families. They were so sincere, and full of words of comfort. Thank you to the nurses that took care of us.

I would not recommend Amedisys to anyone. They were responsible for the care of my father for 10 days. They do come when you call them but they don't really give you any ideas to help make your family member more comfortable. They will get the Dr. to call a Rx in for anything you ask for without really thinking it through. They just call in Morphine without giving any instructions to you as family members giving the medicine. When my father died they sent a nurse out to pronounce him and the response of the nurse was so rehearsed. Please do your homework. I believe looking back that maybe they are too busy. I also believe maybe Amedisys is mainly home care and has not perfected their hospice care. The nurse Susan was wonderful when she came. I just think the nurses are spread too thin and have no time to spend with the family members to give them the support they truly need.

The hospice care that my mother received from Amedisys was excellent. Nurse Rachel and care aide Heather were like family to us. They never seemed in a rush, answered all our questions, and exuded concern and support. The social workers remained supportive for months after my mother’s death. I am thankful that these folks were there for me!