In September of last year, I learned about hospice care. I had heard of hospice care, but until Beverly (my mother-in-law) was hospitalized, and untimely sent to hospice, I had no clue just how wonderful hospice care truly is.
So what is hospice care?
Hospice is specialized type of care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their caregivers.
- Hospice care addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
- Hospice care also helps the patient’s family caregivers.
- Hospice care takes place in the patient’s home or in a home-like setting.
- Hospice care concentrates on managing a patient’s pain and other symptoms so that the patient may live as comfortable as possible and make the most of the time that remains.
- Hospice care believes the quality of life to be as important as length of life
While I have never experienced hospice from a patient’s perspective, I can tell you that as a family member, the smiles and help was welcome. The service our family revived was gentle, kind, caring, and full of love. The nurses who work in hospice care understand the impact of a family’s loss, and they do everything they can to ease the pain of both the patient and the family members.
When I arrived at the hospice house for the last time, I didn’t know that my mother-in-;aw had already passed. When I walked in the door with all four of my children, a nurse was waiting to greet me. She quietly explained what had happened, and asked me if I would like for her to take the kids. I will be forever grateful that my children didn’t have to see my husband and I as we let go of her and said our final goodbyes. They didn’t need to see that, and we were able to compose ourselves and take our children in one at a time. It really meant a lot.
What I learned while visiting the hospice house was that hospice isn’t only a place to go when you are dying. It’s also a place for people going through treatments for terminal illness. It’s a place where people fight to survive utilizing nurses and doctors, but still enjoy the atmosphere of a home environment.
After watching the videos on Moments Of Life, I now appreciate hospice care even more. If you are looking for information about hospice care be sure to visit their site, it is full of information that can aid you in your research!
~ This post was sponsored by Moments of Life, the story is my own.