FROM OUR FAMILIES( continued)
Second: There were several hospice alternatives in our area; fortunately, we selected one that provided support not only for the patient but also for my family and me as well. Hospice made available to us: spiritual counseling, terminal illness literature for my young granddaughters, funeral preparations, grief counselor recommendations, and a bereavement support group, which I joined several months after Eileen’ s death.
Third: I’ ve heard some people say they feel guilty calling hospice because they feel they are giving up. I did not feel this way nor should anyone else. For example, when you are sick, you don’ t think twice before you call a doctor to evaluate your condition. The same is true for hospice. I called them to evaluate Eileen’ s condition. Hospice made the decision as to whether or not Eileen was eligible for their care. This they did by consulting her primary care physician and neurologist, and with a home visit by a hospice nurse.
Fourth: Eileen was very clear that she wanted no heroics near the end life. She was an operating room nurse and put it bluntly to me and our daughters:“ It is easy to put the tubes in; it is very difficult to take them out. I do not want the tubes put in!” Hospice ensured her wishes were met. I must admit that it was an emotional experience for me when hospice told me to cancel her future doctors’ appointments and that I was to no longer call 911. Rather, I was to call hospice first. However, I realized that these instructions would accomplish what Eileen wanted— there would be no heroics.
I have the highest regard for hospice. They were extremely competent and responsive. They eased Eileen’ s pain and provided many necessary services for her, my family, and me. My advice— do not hesitate to call.
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From Steve Garcias
Probably the best advice I received was to try hospice before we actually needed it. Then, if the first company we used didn’ t pan out, we would have time to try others.
Hospice brought massages, barrier creams, bathing in bed, and a portable toilet. It was okay. However, we had better luck hiring private home care. We felt it was more personal and less rushed: the care assistant did not have to get to a next appointment. But every hospice is different.
We started this care a year before death.
The only part I still feel in the dark about is pain management in the final days. The tough part for me was pain management. When the patient cannot communicate, it is hard to know if they are truly comfortable.
From Roxi Padrid
First, hospice was a godsend. However, we needed to get over the fear that comes with the label“ hospice.” Most people, us included, think of hospice as the end( i. e., your loved one is going to die within six months or less of being on hospice). This is not always true. My mom lived for a year and a half off and on hospice.
Second, what many people do not realize is that you may choose to take the person off hospice at any time to treat infections. We did this several times when my mother developed pneumonia. You can re-certify them for hospice after they’ ve been treated. In the end, my mom developed pneumonia, and we took her