Hospice of Marion County

My Father passed away on 3/14/2025 and I felt the need to publicly express my disappointment in this establishment. Executive Director Beverly Wilson is a friend of my Fathers second wife and is a member of the same church. Due to these factors, Beverly stated she "had a personal interest" in my father's care and that our family was elevated to VIP status. Mrs. Wilson overstepped her role within the company and involved herself in family dynamics that had nothing to do with Dad's care and made his final days very uncomfortable. Even with the Executive Directors "personal involvement" there were still questionable circumstances that couldn't be explained. Dad was overdosed on a medication he'd never taken and was sent home from Cates house without enough medication to get him through the weekend. I didn't think Hospice was able to assign priority status to families who are affiliated with a particular church. Very unethical, Beverly.

I gave a 3 instead of a one because a few of the people really helped me and apologized over and over. This review is for empath the west coast team. My daughter talked so highly of empath. She works at a hospital in pinellas county and said how good they were. To began with we left advent hospital to come home. They knew he was declining fast. They lost or couldn’t find his dnr he signed. I got it 2 days later from the social worker. Next one of the nurses put an order for liquid morphine because she saw the direction this was going. The doctor instead gave him Dilaudid. Well the next day it was so hard for him to swallow. I called and the lady said put it to the back of his mouth. Now mind you I told her he was already irritated You put pills in the back of your dogs mouth not a human being that is dying. I also told her his oxygen was dropping and she went on to tell me it would and then I said just want supplemental oxygen. I got it pretty quick and the guy was wonderful. His appointed nurse informed me when I called on Saturday I think that she wouldn’t be out to Wednesday. Now this man can’t really talk he has fought stage 4 metastatic renal cancer for 3 yrs at Moffitt. The cancer broke his shoulder he was not able to get the staples out. The doctor at advent hospital would not put the order in to do it. They had already been in a week too long so hospice did it that evening. They were shocked about that. Never got the liquid pain meds never got the bed chucks. They came after he died. Now his nurse knows how bad things are and I called again and she goes well I will be there this afternoon I told her do not come to my house and I called empath and told them. She still came and I asked her kindly to leave we don’t need you now it’s too late. We had to crush and put his med in a syringe. He died at 1052 pm on the 15 we called them they said someone would call 45 min later my daughter called them back and guess what they said. We have no record of anyone calling. After that a nurse called and came out the sweetest person ever. Before she left she wanted to make sure I was okay. The pastor John was amazing absolutely amazing. That is why I gave a 3 instead of a one. My advice is ask a lot of questions especially if you get the west team. My daughter has cried and apologized to me over and over for recommending them. My husband would get strangled on the pain meds they gave us. I pray you all do not do this to another family plz

I have been in the hospice industry for almost 20 years and have worked for profit and not for profit. I can testify that HMC has amazing resources for the community that no other hospice offers. The care is top notch and with three local hospice houses you have somewhere for your loved one should there be a need. With a highly trained critical care team available 24/7. Tenured staff, amazing chaplains, nurses,care aides and social workers. The largest group of volunteers than any other hospice. And a certified Hospice and Palliative care physician available 24/7. When choosing hospice please talk to these folks,ask questions and make the BEST choice. Hospice is a wonderful benefit and Hospice of Marion County has been servicing the community for 42 years. GOD Bless