Regina’s Reflections

By Regina McNamara

The Beauty of Hospice

As this newsletter is sent to press, our company has the privilege of caring for FIVE clients (and their families) on hospice. This is an all-time high volume for us. We see it as a very positive sign, perhaps our hopes for hospice care being more accepted by families, at an earlier stage is finally reaching fruition.

As a private duty company, we of course depend upon and collaborate with our colleagues in hospice agencies to provide the Medicare funded hospice care services- nursing, home health aides, chaplain, social work, volunteers, medications, equipment, ancillary services as music therapy, massage and other professional assistance. See our “Providers We Love” column for our favorite hospice partners.

Alas, for many families, there are still unmet needs…For additional assistance with activities of daily living, night shift care, higher level support care as management of respiratory issues, treatments that are needed throughout the day.

And so much more. Support to friends and family, many of them unfamiliar with hospice care is perhaps the most valuable service we provide and without a doubt the most fulfilling. Few of our clients are fortunate enough to have extended family nearby. For those on hospice care, we fill this gap by providing comfort, basics as nutrition, hydration, assistance with pain/symptom management, simple housekeeping, entertainment and companionship.

Our goal is to attend to all their needs, physical, emotional and spiritual at this important time. We manage visitors, and help our clients enjoy the simple pleasures…. A trip to the park to watch children play, visits by Darcey, our pet therapy dog, a scenic drive on a lovely spring day. For our clients without any family WE become their family. Celebrating holidays with them, birthdays, important milestones are enjoyable times for our caregivers and their special clients.

Hospice is about living life to the fullest for as long as possible. For clients. For their loved ones.

When the end of life is near, our caregivers do their most crucial, most rewarding work. The following instructions run through their minds…. Keep the client comfortable, do not leave her side, contact family, comfort them all. Call manager for help, advice, support. Call hospice.

Our goal, along with our hospice colleagues is a good death. A peaceful death.

We consider it a special honor and privilege to serve clients and their loved ones and to fulfill their wishes.

Many thanks, over and over to our superb caregivers who, as a result of their special skills, compassion, patience and unselfishness are able to bestow this gift upon our clients and their loved ones at this, their most important time. ■