By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. Hebrews 11:21 (NKJV)
We finish Paula Spencer Scott’s[i] list of nine facts you need to know to decide if hospice is right for you or a loved one:
Hospice can enrich, and sometimes salvage, the last stage of life. Almost a third of those with a terminal illness die in the hospital, many hooked up to machines that do little to halt the process of dying and which can be very painful or uncomfortable instead. The purpose of hospice is to provide support for the more personal aspects of this final life stage. Hospice can help the patient reflect on their legacy and life meaning, focus on relationships in a deeper and more intentional way, achieve a sense of closure, and realize any end-of-life goals, like attending a grandchild’s graduation or getting their financial affairs in order.
Hospice is for the entire family. It can be challenging to witness the hallucinations of delirium, or to understand the body language of someone who can no longer speak, or to watch loved ones leaving us slowly but surely. A hospice nurse, social worker, or chaplain can help interpret what’s happening, or explain the signs of imminent death, and help the family help the patient. And when families need a break, the sick person can spend up to five days at a time in inpatient respite care, such as in a nursing home or hospice facility.
Hospice continues after death. Many people think that once their loved ones dies, the work of hospice comes to an end as well. They may not realize that optional follow-up grief support for 12 months is included under Medicare rules. Anne Alesch, a bereavement counselor who runs separate support groups for surviving spouses and adult children explains that “for many of our families, their journey with hospice is only beginning once their loved one dies.”
When a loved one is dying, it is not just a diagnosis but a person we care about deeply. Ass Ira Byock says, “We make a mistake in assuming that serious illness and dying are mostly medical. They’re fundamentally personal.”
Father God, if the time comes, may I know when to reach out for help.
[i] AARP Bulletin, November 2015, vol.56, No.9 (www.aarp.org/bulletin
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