Hospice was giving morphine to my Grandmother, “to help her breathing.” Even though it does the opposite. It was illegal as well, because that is not a valid reason to precribe it.
From what I understand....Hospice requires the patient/family to relinquish all control FROM the physician TO Hospice. I know that if someone is heading to Hospice....they are going to die....how fast, well...it seems it’s up to Hospice.
My clinical instructor told me that the morphine is given to reduce “air hunger” that is often present in terminal patients. It suppresses the bodies desire to breath and therefore reduces the obvious symptoms of lack of oxygen. Patients do not display signs of agonal breathing, gasping etc. I really think it is more of a “comfort” to the family than the patient. Depending on the actual dosage of morphine, it may not actually be illegal. Maybe it depends on what state you live in.
Unless of course she was suffering from lung cancer or some other from of cancer that was very advanced. See to make blanket statements about what is and is not proper care depends upon the underlying condition