I’m both a former hospice nurse and a former family caregiver, so raising awareness about the benefits of hospice and palliative care is a passion of mine — which is why I continue to write and share about these topics in a variety of ways.
When my mom’s health started a steep decline toward the end of her life, hospice wasn’t yet an option for a variety of reasons. Though I was able to provide most of her care, she still needed to see a doctor on a regular basis. With her mobility a growing challenge, we faced limited options since she could no longer ride in the car. This is a common scenario for those with serious illness who are living in the community, where gaps in care options can be a big challenge.
Just as I was starting to wring my hands, a friend and former hospice colleague told me about a new community-based palliative care practice that had opened in our community. I contacted them and the doctor came out within the next few days to admit Mom and care for her needs. This service continued until she was ready for hospice in the last three weeks of her life, at which time a smooth transition between the two services took place.
Photo by Dominik Lange on Unsplash