My brother had colon cancer. 15 inches were removed. 18 of 26 lymph nodes that were removed had cancer. He underwent 2 rounds of chemo. Then they stopped for about a year. He moved from appleton to mauston. I bugged him to get checked out to see if cancer had returned. We had UW -Health docs. The oncologists were great. The cancer had spread to lymph nodes . More chemo, then a brief pause between rounds. Meanwhile he gets pneumonia and gets an antibiotic from mile bluff medical ctr. The leftover chemo in his system reacts with antibiotic as best they can tell. Shuts down his his kidneys and liver. He is unresponsive for 24 hours. The hospital puts him on comfort care as they expect him to pass within a day or two. He wakes up. Makes a miraculous recovery that stuns the UW liver and kidney docs. He spent a month in hospital and couple months in rehab. His kidney and liver numbers improve to near normal but liver and kidney docs warn full recovery of those organs could take months or years. He finally goes home. MRI says cancer has moved into lungs but still very small. We see oncologist who is hopeful he can still be okay for awhile but recommends we activate hospice for when the time comes. Unfortunately, we did not understand what that means SO LISTEN CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU PUT SOMEONE IN HOSPICE THAT ISNT IN IMMEDIATE THREAT OF DYING! My brother had gone home from rehab. Was getting stronger, walking more. We had plans. He wanted to go to waterpark, boating, and work on a bus he was converting to a camper. But hospice took over his medical care. CONPLETELY! Two hospice docs that had never seen my brother started deciding what his medicines were going forward. My brother has had problems with blood clots in his legs. They tried to take him off blood thinner. I said NO WAY and explained he would get blood clot. They changed other meds. Their goal was different than ours. Ours was to continue to get him stronger so he could have some quality time. Agrace's goal was to make him comfortable prior to dying. They took him off NORCO for pain and put him on 15mg morphine twice a day which basically knocked him out sleeping too much. I complained. They said cut pills in half and take as needed so he takes 7.5 every 4-6 hours. In a 2 week period he went downhill rapidly, his previously damaged kidneys and liver shut down. He gained 20 pounds of fluid in less than two weeks. I talked to the nurse that had been seeing him a few times per week about his liver and kidney damage from a few months earlier. "Oh we didn't know about that". Really? His extensive medical records weren't transferred to you or your two docs didn't bother to read them. SO KNOW THAT THEIR GOAL IS TO EASE THEM TOWARDS DEATH NOT KEEP THEM ALIVE. They canceled his liver doctor appointment that he had. They don't want him seeing any other doctors. They don't want any blood work done. It's just make sure they have no pain even if that is causing them to die early. I blame myself because I didn't know that that's what being in hospice meant the liver doctor said it would make things easier when the time came because he was already would already be enrolled and somebody would be checking on them on a weekly basis. He didn't say that they would completely take over his care not wanting to see other doctors not want to do any Bloodwork and would switch them to morphine which I believe shut down his already damaged liver and kidneys that hadn't fully recovered even though the numbers looked good full recovery was supposed to take six months to a year or more. He had time left. The cancer was not wildly out of control at that point but the morphine I think ended his life. Would I put him on hospice again knowing what I know? NO FUCKING WAY! His nurse was nice. I think she was a good nurse and she was obviously sad that he passed. So that's my good comment about AGRACE. The bad - two doctors who made decisions about my brothers care without knowing or understanding his complete medical history from the previous few months since last October when he went into the hospital, having reacted from the antibiotic and the chemo. Two doctors who never ever met him or saw him made his decisions. Understand that if you put somebody in hospice, you lose a lot of control over what happens to the person. And I say that because I made his medical appointments for his liver doctor, his oncologist, his primary care doctor they canceled his liver doctor appointment. I'm sure they would've canceled others if they had been on the schedule. Don't put somebody in hospice until they are close to death. read more

These people are the most unbelievable, compassionate, caring giving people I have ever met. They just helped my mom through her final weeks at her memory care, and they are better by far than the help she had there and the other homes nothing about her memory care because they are one of the best but none of them have the love and compassion of the Agrace team. They also admitted my dad into their facility in Fitchburg his last week and the care and bed side manner again was unbelievable. I don't know how these people do it. They are the strongest and caring individuals. I can't say enough. Thanks, you to the Agrace team you're the best Sincerely, Dustin Pauls read more

Agrace home hospice care was most helpful. lf they said there would be a nurse coming over late at night in two hours, they would be there on time. They were fast when supplies including a hospital bed was needed, I even appreciated the directions the social worker provided. Agrace also promptly provided pain medication. read more

Very strange experience for our​ whole family. Sadly, we try to forget. No structure for visiting /spending time with our loved one. Too indifferent to our needs. Huge lack of understanding the situation at hand. Care​ was questionable as no one seemed​ to address crucial events in the care of our loved one​ I did meet with several people to discuss. I'm not really satisfied with the answers that I got however. I'm just hoping that they've learned something from the mistakes that they made. ​ The whole experience is still a nightmare in itself alone without losing our loved one too. read more

I've experienced Agrace and it's staff on a couple of occasions with loved ones. I can say without a doubt that having someone by your side who knows about end of life and how to navigate it makes the unfortunate experience so much easier. I think originally we had different expectations in that they would be with us 24-7, but that was never promised and it is a misnomer. They don't have the resources to do that. But they do educate the family and caregivers, assist in many different ways, check in frequently, provide support from nurses, volunteers and chaplains. They can do this from your home or in their facility. And, they really do it on your terms. It's the person who is passing who really is in charge. We had a good experience. Very caring people who treated us like family. read more

We found that they are disorganized, with poor management and no one held accountable. We experienced a HIPAA violation when they released care information to an unauthorized entity. read more

Amazing and very caring nurses. Wonderful support on hard days. Our community is truly blessed to have such an institution here to fill the many needs. read more

They have been a lifesaver helping me either an elderly relative. Can't say enough good about these people!

My father was forgotten about by Agrace, we were told aides would be coming in on certain days but when I called to find out what times they would be coming I was told someone would call me back, 5 hours later with no callback I called only to find out the nurse never put in any orders for aides from the get-go. When he was having breathing issues I called in for advice and we were told to try and move him to the bed and was snapped at by a woman on the phone. I called in when he was non-responsive and no one picked up the phone when transferred, when I finally got through they couldn't find his DNR in the system (that he had just signed days prior) so the fire department had to try and resuscitate him. We got no visits or help until he was dead. This was an awful experience. The durable medical folks were great and we're thankful for that. read more

I drafted this 30 days after my mom's passing. After 9 months, I wouldn't change a word. In short: Agrace did not provide the medical nor emotional support my family was expecting; and my hope is that this review can help someone else avoid the suffering my family and I endured. We thought Agrace Hospice would be the way to help my mom pass as comfortably as possible while remaining at home. We were so wrong. Despite my repeated requests and pleas for help (I am certainly not a professional caregiver!), I was left by myself to adminster medicines every hour, 24 hours around the clock for days, and watch my mom suffer. When I had a question or urgent concern, there was a call-center where I was placed on hold for several minutes with a recorded message before reaching a live person who then tried to "learn" about my mother's case by reading computer records. When the Case Manager (who was vitually absent the entire time) appeared the day before my mom passed, she made several hurtful comments-- far from the empathetic caregiver you'd want for a family member. (Please note, when caregivers were dispatched/available, these nurses were kind and caring -- and each time, they agreed my mother was suffering and needed a different course of action). There is so much I could say to Agrace: but I was never asked for feedback about my experience. What does that say about them as a service organization? My mom suffered needlessly, and her passing was the exact opposite of what she and I had wanted for her.  I will carry those days and images with me forever, and if I could prevent Agrace from being reimubrsed a single penny for their services, I would do it.  I hope I can save another family from their services.  Find another provider!! read more

Again, an awkward Yelp review. Hospice? Really? Believe me, I'd much rather review a restaurant or convenience store, but I feel that Agrace Hospice deserves some recognition. In my Dad's last days, he needed a comfortable place that would ensure quality and compassion. SIX stars to Agrace for what they provided him. Top notch facilities and staff that make sure that the patient AND their family are taken care of. Everywhere in the organization you can see the quality and compassion - it starts at the top and you can tell. read more

Caring and compassionate care for my Father. He passed with grace and dignity. Agrace was everything we could hoped for and more.

Very disappointed with the disorganization of this hospice provider. It doesn't appear they put forth much effort in obtaining accurate, up-to-date clinical records in order to make an accurate assessment decision. It appears that they have changed their end of life requirement from six months to two weeks as you practically have to have 1 foot in the ground in order to be possibly considered as eligible. They falsified statements to justify their denial. Will definitely not recommend this agency! read more

My mother was fortunately cared for at Agrace residential. The care was outstanding. Nurses were not only highly competent but also compassionate. CNA's were also very efficient and kind. Even the food was good. Servers who brought it were thoughtful and respectful. Our Mom's private room had space for my sister to stay overnight, and the little patio was a sunny space to get some fresh air. There is a small wooded area nearby that is nice for short walks. We were truly blessed by Agrace hospice. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. My friends dad was put in this place to take care of him and they neglected to care for his needs and gave him the bare minimum. This place never called his son for any updates until he would call them to complain. Today his father sadly passed away and the Agrace facility did not even take the time to call his son. Instead they waited until somebody called for an update hours later to finally tell anyone. read more

My dad was referred to Grace hospice after his doctor recommended that hospice become involved. I didn't immediately call back (I didn't realize they had left me a voicemail) so they called back. His doctor called in morphine which helped with his oxygen hunger. The grace nurse and social worker came the day after I called them. They were nothing but compassionate with my dad, in explaining what they would do for us. It was such a relief to have them involved as I knew I was no longer alone in caring for my dad. They said that I could call for help 24 hours a day and that I should call them before calling 911 or my doctor. The nurse that came over came over every other day and was able to assess my dad. I didn't want to know when my dad was going to pass, but we got a different nurse on 12/21 and I asked her. I was told he'd only live another 2-3 weeks. I left at 5:00 pm on this date to tell me brother who lived next door and when I got home within the hour, my dad was in the bathroom, laying on the floor agonally breathing. I couldn't call agrace first as I refused to leave my dad and instead called 911 and started CPR. Police and the ambulance came and I asked someone in my family to call Agrace. A nurse showed up after my dad was pronounced deceased and was very caring. They asked if I wanted clergy but our priest wasn't available. They asked if I wanted a social worker and the same social worker who met me and my dad 6 days earlier came over and was a blessing. Since then I have received a survey asking if there is any way they could improve. I had only one suggestion which was to get a placard to put in each room so we had their number readily available. My cell phone was not with me when I went into the bathroom. I have also gotten a couple of calls seeing if I was in need of counseling services and am actually going to take them up on it as I'm not processing his death well. I hear that they are very helpful. I have nothing but great things to say about Agrace and am sorry others have had negative experiences. The staff we dealt with were very professional, knowledgeable and caring. read more

I do not know why San Francisco is listed as my location. I am in Wisconsin. I'm on the fence about rating this a 3, but whomever wrote the1/15/2020 review is closer to home than I would prefer. In fact, for a minute there, I thought I wrote it. I will punctuate their comment by adding this: When I signed up for Hospice Care, I had air supply from another co. They stocked me with a charger to be able to refill mini tanks, so I could go places. Agrace dispensed with that company in favor of their own. They do not supply tanks smaller travel tanks, unless you can lug around nearly 20 lbs of cumbersome. In a nut shell, Agrace has caused me to go homebound. If I want to leave the house it's a huge ordeal for my friends and I to pack up. They've taken away my mobility, exercise, and social outlet. They presently find themselves short on staff (never a good sign in business), with a few well meaning supervisors relying on nonchalant team members. The definition of personal care is exactly as the former reviewer said. I'm giving Agrace a little more time. I don't know why, they've been around awhile, with formerly good reviews outside this format. But with my own shelf life about to expire, I'm going to keep a very short leash. This is not the Agrace I knew back in 2015. read more

I have been at the Madison Agrace Hospice with loved ones four different times over the past years and there are not enough stars to select here for a review. During my most recent experience the staff, and I mean every single person that was involved, provided better than excellent care for my loved one. We were there 17 days and they treated her with such care & compassion. They allowed her the respect and dignity she so deserved. There were as many tears from staff as there were from family in the end. I personally felt like I was among family through the long difficult days and nights. This is such a difficult time for everyone involved and emotions are high enough without having to worry about quality of care. I believe it takes very special people to work there and consider myself very fortunate to have had each and every one of them to help my loved one and her family and friends go through this. read more