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There is more to know about hospice

by Mary Odbert

More people choose hospice each year. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports there are more than 4,100 hospice programs in the United States, and these programs cared for more than 1.5 million people last year.

That’s a big change from just forty years ago when a British physician started the first hospice near London in the 1960’s. In 1974, the first hospice was established in the U.S.  Here in Yolo County, a small group of community members founded Yolo Hospice as a community-based, not-for-profit just five years later.

Even though Yolo Hospice will celebrate 30 years in the community next year, all of us can learn more about this approach that emphasizes expert and compassionate care for those at the end of their life. The Yolo Hospice team has contributed to this article with information about the questions they are asked most often when others learn they work for Yolo Hospice.

“I think most people assume Yolo Hospice, or all hospices, are in-patient facilities,” said Alejandra Widner, Yolo Hospice Board Staff Liaison. “They don’t know we provide services wherever our patients call home.”

Yolo Hospice does not have an in-patient facility. We believe most people prefer to live their lives in the comfort of their own homes. We deliver hospice care to wherever they call home, whether in a house, apartment or nursing facility.

“I find people know about our nursing staff, but are surprised to find out the extent of our team and services,” said Lisa Marie Bowden, Clinical Office Staff Member.

The key to Yolo Hospice’s care is our well-rounded team of devoted and expert professionals who provide sensitive and compassionate care. The team includes a physician medical director and registered nurses who make visits to the patient for management of pain and the symptoms of the disease.

As Lisa Marie suggested, the Yolo Hospice team also includes other experts who provide specialized care. Social workers enhance patients’ and family’s lives through support and counseling around business, resources and other end-of-life issues. Home Health Aides assist with personal hygiene and care. Chaplains/spiritual counselors support and comfort patients and families through a spectrum of religious and spiritual traditions. Specialized therapists provide physical therapy, dietary, occupational or speech therapy as needed. Trained volunteers are a vital part of our team giving support, help and companionship. Finally, bereavement counselors provide grief counseling to community members and special programs for children through our Stepping Stones bereavement program.

“There is a misconception that people don’t need hospice until the very end,” said Gwendolyn Kaltoft, R.N. Intake Manager. “Even physicians sometimes underestimate the benefits of early hospice referral for patients and families.”

Gwendolyn talks to those who inquire about starting hospice services. She knows it is important to call early to get as much benefit as possible from our services. Resources we offer range from emotional support to providing highly specialized pain management that allows patients to enjoy their remaining time, as much as possible. According to the National Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, one of the most common sentiments from families who have been helped by hospice care is, “we wish we had known about hospice sooner.”

“I find a lot of people already have an experience with hospice,” said Janet Mueller, Chaplin/Spiritual Care Counselor. “Those people say, without fail, how wonderful hospice care was for them and then describe it for me.”
 
“When people find out I’m a hospice nurse the most common question I get is, ‘how can you do that, isn’t it hard?’” said Scott Goldsmith, R. N. “I tell them I think it is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in nursing, helping the families and patients during this difficult time in their lives. Everyone is going to die, but I’m able get to know these people and help them make this process a little bit easier.”

“I find that people see hospice as being about death,” said Doug Jena, Executive Director. “That’s not the way we see it here at Yolo Hospice. It is all about living and helping people fully live the rest of their lives.”

Hospice goes beyond traditional healthcare. At Yolo Hospice we don’t treat a disease; we care for a patient – the whole person, body, mind and spirit. We provide clinically expert care, delivered in a spirit of loving service by emphasizing comfort through pain control and sophisticated symptom relief.

 

 

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Quotes

Judy Norton
"Coping with terminal illness is all consuming for patient and family. As a hospice nurse, I feel it is most important to advocate, respect and use the knowledge we have to make the end of life the most comfortable it can be while always keeping in mind the unique needs of each patient."
~Jody Norton, RN