Finding Hospice Care
Thursday, October 04, 2007
"The demeanor of hospice is a quiet, calm community that does what they do best and that is, make people comfortable during the last days of their lives...if only we had known sooner!"
-Phyllis Curry
At age 91, Phyllis Curry’s mother, Janet Rosenberg, had never experienced any serious health problems – she was active, healthy and just a joyful, sweet person. She had developed slight dementia, but at age 91, she still enjoyed a vibrant life and always lit a room with her warm spirit.
In April 2006 Mrs. Rosenberg had a stroke that instantly sent her active and healthy lifestyle into a state of very limited activity. End of life stages unexpectedly and unknowingly began to progress. Mrs. Rosenberg was moved to an assisted living residence, but the level of care she required made it an unsuitable residence for her. Phyllis and her brother Jack Friou began to search for the right place for their mother.
It never occurred to Phyllis or Jack that their mother was actually living through the final stages of her life and was a candidate for hospice care. Research was conducted, tests were run, medical professionals examined and re-examined Mrs. Rosenberg, yet nothing seemed to help. Everything that could be done to “fix” her was done, yet the concept of hospice care was never brought to the forefront as the solution to the equation.
In June 2006 Mrs. Rosenberg had an extension of her first stroke that created further damage, preventing her from being able to swallow. Phyllis and Jack began to feel helpless, unsettled and powerless in their inability to find the right medical care, residence and living conditions for their mother. Still the concept of hospice care was never introduced.
Mrs. Rosenberg’s worsening condition prompted an immediate emergency room visit. Her physician abruptly told Phyllis and Jack that their mother was dying and asked if they had considered placing her in hospice care. In a surreal moment Phyllis and Jack, without reservation, agreed to speak with a hospice care provider concerning the care of their mother.
“If only we had known sooner!” says Phyllis. “If only the informative hospice literature had been handed to us or placed in front of us. If only we had been aware of the
concept of hospice when mother had her first stroke we could have prepared sooner.”
The hospice staff explained the procedures for hospice care to Phyllis and Jack and how their mother would be cared for. The staff explained the patient-centered compassionate approach to medical care that is needed at the end of life. They also explained the goals of hospice care: to increase the quality of life, to provide comfort to the patient as well as the family while maintaining the dignity and wishes of the patient.
“The coaching and expertise of the hospice staff was wonderful,” says Phyllis. “They created a plan of care based on mother’s needs. They gave us the confidence to know they were doing the very best for her. They wanted to know everything about mother, her likes and dislikes. They wanted to know about us and our family; if we had questions we never had to wait for a doctor or nurse, they were already there. They told us the way things would happen and when we sat with mother they said, ‘Keep talking with her, hearing is the last thing to go.’ There was such a peaceful and loving calm when you walked through the doors of the hospice house. They made it easier to get through the final days with mother and we were able to be there with her and help comfort her.
“The compassionate genuine care, concern and love that hospice gave to mother during her final days will never be forgotten by our family,” says Phyllis. “After dealing firsthand with hospice care, I am certainly a strong advocate of palliative care and strongly support the Willson Hospice House as a valuable project that will prove to be a prescious treasure and make a difference in so many lives here in Albany. The community will have a wonderful asset when family members reach the final stages of life."
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