Hospice: What You Don't Know Can Hurt

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

Bello75 said:

I have been working at hospice for four years and I really enjoyed this article. So many people have the wrong idea about what hospice really does for patients. Hospice work can be difficult at times but it is also very rewarding. Thanks for sharing this story.

Dear Bello75, I'm glad you find hospice work rewarding and that you have been a part of a hospice team for four years. We all continue to learn from one another and each experience helps us get better at what we do. Thanks for your response! Joy

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

pookyp said:

I'm new to hospice as well. Enjoyed the story! I'll be putting some things that were said to the family in my memory!

Thank you for your response. I am glad it was helpful to you! Joy

[AliceTrout]

Thank you for this story, it helped illuminate some of the emotions I have picked up on emanating from family members when we bring up the idea of hospice to our ICU family's. I struggled to understand why some people seemed to prefer having their loved one die in the cold, harsh, and impersonal ICU as opposed to the more home-like comfort of our hospice unit. I guess I never looked at it as "giving up" but always simply as making someone (and their family) more comfortable when viable life-saving options cease to exist.

I thank you for giving me some insight into my patient's families mind-sets when conversations turn to hospice.

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

AliceTrout said:

Thank you for this story, it helped illuminate some of the emotions I have picked up on emanating from family members when we bring up the idea of hospice to our ICU family's. I struggled to understand why some people seemed to prefer having their loved one die in the cold, harsh, and impersonal ICU as opposed to the more home-like comfort of our hospice unit. I guess I never looked at it as "giving up" but always simply as making someone (and their family) more comfortable when viable life-saving options cease to exist.

I thank you for giving me some insight into my patient's families mind-sets when conversations turn to hospice.

Dear AliceTrout, Thank you for your response. You are so right--it is a challenge to understand where our patient's and families are coming from, especially when their reactions don't match our expectations. As professional nurses we work together as team members to shine more light on what is really happening: what is the family history and dynamics? Is there something we are missing? How can we help reach each other across the great divide of misunderstanding? I hope that by sharing stories with one another that we can continue to grow in our ability to help each other and our patients. Joy

[dkmears]

As a LVN, I have worked in hospice for 4 years. .I truly believe that hospice is as much for the family, if not more, as it is for the patient....families often just want confirmation that they have made the right decision for their family member...I have been told more than once that those of us in hospice have made the process of losing a loved one much more bearable. ..I love the field. ..

[nrcnurse]

Thanks for sharing, Joy. I have had the same conversation, in various configurations, so many times. It's like a PR piece that is an essential part of a Hospice nurse's tool kit. We're not the "angels of death;" we grant permission for quality of life.

[barbiew05]

This was a very interesting article. Having used Hospice services, I understand many of the decisions that have to be made before one can begin the process. When my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I did not want to hear the word Hospice because I believed there was nothing that could be done. After speaking with a Hospice nurse in a hospital setting, I changed my mind about Hospice services that could be provided. I cannot say enough about the care that we received from our local Hospice organization. After my husband passed, I became a Hospice volunteer. I have never regretted for one minute of being there for someone else in the same situation that I was in. Hospice nurses are a special bred of people. Thank you for all you do to help patients and families dealing with their loved ones illness.

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

dkmears said:

As a LVN, I have worked in hospice for 4 years. .I truly believe that hospice is as much for the family, if not more, as it is for the patient....families often just want confirmation that they have made the right decision for their family member...I have been told more than once that those of us in hospice have made the process of losing a loved one much more bearable. ..I love the field. ..

Dear dkmears, I'm so glad you work in hospice and love the field. We all need people like you on our teams. And yes, I agree with you: hospice can be as much about the family as about the patient. We also provide an "official" status for medical professionals so that it becomes possible for all of us to shift our thinking to comfort measures. Joy

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

nrcnurse said:

Thanks for sharing, Joy. I have had the same conversation, in various configurations, so many times. It's like a PR piece that is an essential part of a Hospice nurse's tool kit. We're not the "angels of death;" we grant permission for quality of life.

Dear nrcnurse, "Permission for quality of life." I like the phrase! I often tell patients and families that hospice is not "doing nothing or giving up" it is, instead, doing different things--like facing in another direction. I'm glad the article resonated with you. Joy

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

barbiew05 said:

This was a very interesting article. Having used Hospice services, I understand many of the decisions that have to be made before one can begin the process. When my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I did not want to hear the word Hospice because I believed there was nothing that could be done. After speaking with a Hospice nurse in a hospital setting, I changed my mind about Hospice services that could be provided. I cannot say enough about the care that we received from our local Hospice organization. After my husband passed, I became a Hospice volunteer. I have never regretted for one minute of being there for someone else in the same situation that I was in. Hospice nurses are a special bred of people. Thank you for all you do to help patients and families dealing with their loved ones illness.

Dear barbiew05, Thank you for sharing your personal story with us. I am sorry for your loss and I am thankful that hospice was there to help you at that critical juncture. I am also thankful for your response in volunteering with hospice. I know you make a difference to others who are walking in a similar place. Joy

[vanhlj09]

I feel the same way! I know first hand that it is so comforting to know that a professional is just a phone call away. We had hospice for my dad when he was dying. I don't know how we would have made it through without them. I always said, "Some day I want to be THAT person for someone else!" And, now I am! I have been a hospice nurse for a year and a half and I absolutely love it! It can be so emotional and you can get attached to your patients and families very quickly. But also, it is very rewarding, knowing that I have helped a patient and family through one of the worst heartaches. I will work in this field as long as I can! There is nothing else like it!

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

vanhlj09 said:

I feel the same way! I know first hand that it is so comforting to know that a professional is just a phone call away. We had hospice for my dad when he was dying. I don't know how we would have made it through without them. I always said, "Some day I want to be THAT person for someone else!" And, now I am! I have been a hospice nurse for a year and a half and I absolutely love it! It can be so emotional and you can get attached to your patients and families very quickly. But also, it is very rewarding, knowing that I have helped a patient and family through one of the worst heartaches. I will work in this field as long as I can! There is nothing else like it!

Dear vanhlj09, Thank you for sharing your experience and enthusiasm. Your positive attitude is encouraging and contagious! Joy