By Carla Irvin, RN, BSN
I recently
had a death in my family. My dear mother-in-law, Marilyn, had dementia and
lived in an assisted living facility for the last four years. Marilyn was in a
wheelchair and required 24-hour care from the staff. She had been placed on hospice
once she was found to be in multiple organ failure due to numerous medical
problems and, thus, was considered terminal.
But what
does hospice care do if she was already getting 24-hour care in a facility? My
mother-in-law’s assisted living facility had a contract with a southeastern
Michigan hospice. The hospice had nurses who came to visit, did physical
assessments, made recommendations, and answered questions from both the staff
and the family on how to best meet Marilyn’s, the family’s, and the staff’s
needs at this difficult time. There was a chaplain who was available to our
family and the facility staff for support as the end grew near. The chaplain
and one of the hospice nurses were even there with the family when Marilyn
passed. In the days afterward, we received calls and a letter offering services
of a bereavement coordinator and referrals to support groups if needed. They
told us that we’ll continue to receive informational mailings on grief and loss,
and they’ll be available to us for questions or support for a year.
November is National
Hospice and Palliative Care Month where awareness is raised about caring for
people who have an advanced or life-limiting illness. Providing quality,
compassionate end-of-life care is what a hospice does. Every single day. What
an amazing group of people with a noble goal. Hospices give that care to people
not only in their homes, but in long-term care facilities, nursing homes,
hospitals and free-standing hospice facilities. They are committed to enhancing
the quality of life. Services are available to people of any race, religion,
age or illness with a team oriented approach. The cost is covered by private
insurance, Medicare or Medicaid (in most states) for people who meet certain
criteria. Care can be available after hours if needed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
Hospices and
palliative care programs provide:
·
Regular
visits and consultations for medical care
·
Pain
management
·
Symptom
control
·
Psychosocial
support
·
Spiritual
and emotional support to patients and their families
·
Education
The
statistics say that every year in the United States more than 1.6 million
people receive care from a hospice. Hospice care is a tough job. I’m thankful
there are people out there who want to be in that line of work.
For further
information, check out the website for the National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization. Their mission is to lead and mobilize social change for improved
care at the end of life. Their vision is a world where individuals and families
facing serious illness, death, and grief will experience the best that
humankind can offer.
