MEADOWLARK HOSPICE CELEBRATES THE LOVE AND CARE OF HOSPICE
In honor of the nation’s hospice professionals and volunteers, Meadowlark Hospice in November will join more than 4,100 hospice providers throughout the United States who cared for more than 1.5 million people last year, in kicking off the celebration of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
This year’s National Hospice and Palliative Care Month’s theme is, “It Must Be Love.”
This month-long celebration not only pays tribute to hospice providers who are dedicated to providing physical, spiritual and emotional support to individuals living with a life-limiting illness, but serves to raise awareness about choices in end-of-life care that are available in the community. There continue to be many myths about the compassionate care provided by hospice.
Myth: Hospice is where you go when there is nothing more a doctor can do.
Reality: Hospice is a service, which is comprehensive in all aspects of caring for someone who is living with a life-limiting illness. It’s important to emphasize the quality of life rather than the length of life, so that their final days may be spent with dignity and a degree of independence.
Myth: Quality care at the end of life is very expensive.
Reality: Medicare has a Hospice benefit, which does not cost the patient anything. Medicaid is also accepted. Most private insurances have some type of hospice benefit.
Myth: If I choose hospice care, I have to leave my home.
Reality: Hospice care is provided wherever the patient may be: in their home or home-like setting, including nursing facilities and assisted living.
Myth: Families are not able to care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Reality: Family members are encouraged, supported and trained by hospice professionals to care for their loved ones.
Myth: Hospice care is only for cancer or AIDS patients.
Reality: The top five diagnoses seen in hospice care for 2006 were: Cancer 44.1%, Heart Disease 12.2%, Debility 11.8%, Dementia 10% and Lung Disease 7.7%.
Myth: Hospice is just for the elderly.
Reality: Hospice is for anyone facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of age.
Myth: After the patient’s death, hospice care ends. Reality: Bereavement services and grief support are available to the caregivers or family members for 12-18 months following the patient’s death.
The Gift of Time
Many people are afraid of death and all that it encompasses; talking about it, grieving for the anticipated loss, preparing for it or making funeral arrangements. When a physician tells you or your loved one that treatment is no longer an option or that you or your loved one has a life-limiting illness, something good can come of this.
You have been given a gift- the gift of time!
How we choose to use that time is very important. Do and say what you want to do and say every day.
If you do not want to go to a meeting one afternoon but would prefer to stay home and rest or spend time with family that is OK.
Conserve your energy for priorities.
Decide what is important for you to do and rest prior to and after if necessary.
Relationships with others are one of the most important things in life. If you need to resolve any misunderstandings, it is never too late to start. Ask for help when you need it. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength- the strength of knowing what you need and knowing how to get it.
Individuals who have a life-limiting illness, often have a lot of living left to do. It is healthy to continue to focus on living.
Meadowlark Hospice focuses on living, and our goal is for individuals to have the best quality of life possible. Hospice is a service that deals with pain and symptom management, end of life situations, and emotional and spiritual stresses that may arise. When the understanding is reached that everyone dies, hopefully, we can accept our gift of time. Focus each day on what has real significance in your life for you.
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Hospice Related Links
Cookbooks Available $10.00
For further information regarding hospice services, please contact the Meadowlark Hospice office at (785) 632-2225.
Kendra Schurle, RN BSN
Meadowlark Hospice Program Director
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