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Let’s Talk About<br />
Hospice<br />
“We wish we had you sooner” is<br />
a resounding phrase I have heard<br />
families say throughout my years<br />
of providing hospice care to our<br />
community. People do not know<br />
what they need until they need it.<br />
Let me explain. If your dishwasher<br />
breaks, then you need another one.<br />
You start searching for sales on the<br />
internet or maybe you visit a retailer<br />
who sells appliances. Either way<br />
you began your search because you<br />
needed something. This should<br />
not be what we do regarding more<br />
important aspects of our lives.<br />
Understanding what your community<br />
resources are, why they are here and<br />
what they can do for you and your<br />
family is paramount so that when<br />
you enter into a crisis, and trust<br />
me, a crisis will come, you know<br />
immediately what your plan is and<br />
how to obtain the assistance you<br />
need.<br />
Hospice is not a word that rolls off<br />
of the tongue nor is it a topic most<br />
people wish to discuss. It’s difficult<br />
for most people to engage in a serious<br />
discussion about end-of-life with a<br />
loved one and especially a parent or<br />
even a child (young or adult). But if<br />
we can make a conscious decision<br />
to just tackle the thing then we can<br />
get it behind us. Afterall, death is<br />
a sure thing. Transitioning from<br />
this earthly presence is as real as a<br />
new life entering and they are both<br />
processes – one with joy, if we are<br />
blessed, and one with sadness. We<br />
should never fear the inevitable<br />
but rather embrace the advanced<br />
opportunity to take advantage of<br />
every resource available that helps<br />
navigate the uncharted waters.<br />
So, why don’t people seek hospice<br />
services earlier than later? I’ll tell<br />
you. People, in general, are afraid of<br />
dying, and are often in denial about<br />
their terminal illness and how much<br />
time they have remaining. They also<br />
perhaps do not know what they<br />
qualify for or what services are even<br />
available.<br />
Non-profit hospice organizations,<br />
often deeply embedded in the<br />
community, typically share a unified<br />
mission which is to provide the<br />
highest quality of care with respect
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