Considering hospice care, but no terminal illness diagnosed

[falstaff1980]

My Dad's (in his 80s) has been slowly getting worse, weakening lungs, but he's refusing to go to hospital for further tests as he says it's a 'waste of time', and he seems to think he's in terminal decline. The most he'll accept is a visiting paramedic checking the usual things and listening to his chest. Half the medications he gets prescribed he gives up because he doesn't like the side-effects. I'm wondering if a visiting hospice care nurse could at least help him have better days, but is it possible to get a GP referral for that given that there is no terminal diagnosis?

If it's lung issues, ask for a referral to the community respiratory team, you wouldn't be given a referral to a community hospice nurse as they are full stretch for those with a terminal diagnosis.
The community resp. nurses can monitor, provide exercises to help him manage his condition better etc
My dad has fibrotic lung disease with 50% lung function so whilst he's not going to 'get better' if they keep him infection free and catch any problems early through monitoring it certainly isn't going to kill him just yet (and yes he does the can't be bothered thing as well)

Thanks, he does indeed have reduced lung function, always has since childhood pneumonia, he doesn't appreciate the doctors who look at his chest x-ray asking him how much he used to smoke (and some treat him as if he's lying about never smoking).

LOL mine told the consultant he stopped smoking 4 years ago... It was nearly 50 years ago he stopped! We find the community team seem to have a bit more time to explain things and get on their wavelength on how to manage day to day rather than quoting % function etc at them.