Pathways Home Health and Hospice

Pathways hospice claims to provide a care team to each patient and their family. We NEVER received any team information nor were we contacted by Pathways. This was a disappointment and not helpful to the family who had questions related to hospice and the care for our mother in general. We did not feel supported by Pathways hospice. After we searched out the assigned Pathways RN, Patty McKeller, for information regarding our mothers health status, Patty agreed to communicate with us on a regular basis. There was minimal follow through and little guidance provided. Even during our mothers final weeks, Patty promised to keep us updated regularly however we did not receive any updates. Finally when morphine was administered, we were not told in advance by Patty but had to find out from the caregiver at the residential facility when inquiring why Mom would not wake up. Patty did not verify the medical facts in the patient record, but made clinical decisions based upon the unverified (and false) statements provided to her. Unfortunately, we could not bond with Patty in any way since we never had a family meeting or any other kind of group discussion about the care our mother was to receive. This was disappointing considering our father was placed on hospice for 3-​weeks at the end of his life and we were so lucky for the hospice nurse, Joan, as she provided excellent support not only for our fathers comfort care, but for our entire family’s emotional health and well being. This is incredible considering 16 years has passed and we all remember Joan as if she was a true family member. Hopefully Pathways will realize that involving the entire family throughout the hospice process benefits the patient as well as the family unit.

We are Lighthouse Caregivers and work with Pathways Hospice as a ²⁴⁄₇ caregiver service. Working with Pathways is enlightening as they are all very sensitive and genuinely caring. Families who use Pathways have been eternally grateful for their crucial role in end-​stage care. It is a joy to be part of Pathway’s network.

This hospice may be great in SF but not for the East Bay. In my area they’re staff doesn’t follow through, their CNA’s have left my front door unlocked, and don’t complete the duties I’ve requested. They never stay the full hour. Their website advertises pet therapy and massage therapy and all kinds of services. But when I request them, the services aren’t available. Yet, the intake nurse assured me they were. So I live in a not so great area. Then they should state on their website, «we don’t offer these services in all areas, and we may have trouble getting competent people in YOUR area». Yes, they have nurses on call 24/​7, but when my sister fell the other day and I called, they just said, ‘well, call if you see any changes’. No on came out to examine her. So I think it depends what area you live in. If you’re thinking on using them, ask specific questions about your area.

Pathways has nurses on call 24 – 7. Call their number and their triage nurse will give you advice, or, if necessary, send someone out within about an hour. We had Patty McKellar, R.N., as our case manager. She was generous with her time. She made sure that my 94-​year-​old father did not suffer during his last days. I was particularly impressed by her giving my father morphine before changing his Foley catheter, in order to minimize his discomfort. She is the best!

Anyone who has any experience with Hospice care can tell you how wonderful their services are. Pathways provides a level of care and compassion that families facing the challenges of a terminal illness can rely upon.
Every family is assigned a team of caregivers that focuses on meeting the needs of not only the patient, but the entire family. The team focuses on everything from coordinating medial care and services, palliative treatment, spiritual guidance, social worker case management and bereavement support.
The folks at Pathways are passionate about end-​of-​life care and you can rest assured that your family will be in caring and loving hands.