A COLUMN: The month of November falls under National Hospice, Palliative Care Month

In 1963 in 1963, in 1963, Dr. Dame Cicely Saunders, the creator of the modern-day hospice movement visited Yale University and presented a talk that introduced the concept of specific care for the dying for those in United States. In her talk she showed photos of terminally ill patients as well as their families prior to and after the specialized treatment that focused on the control of symptoms. The talk set off an entire sequence of events that led to the creation of hospice care in the way we are now.

Although there was some an interest in the 1960s it was not until the 1960s that the beginning of the “official” medical hospice within the United States was not established until 1972. It took nearly decade before Medicare introduced the hospice benefit. What was most interesting for me was that it was not until the year 2006 in 2006 that it was that the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognized hospice and palliative care as a medical field.

It is also National Hospice Month, and this year’s theme is “Courageous Conversation.”In our society we are often taught to avoid death and our healthcare system is often a proponent of intervention until there is no medical treatment available to help the patient’s condition.

It could be one reason why the topic of death is a topic that many people avoid and can be a conversation that family members do not would like to hear as when they hear it, it seems like they’re accepting our death. But having a conversation about death can make a huge impact. We should ask ourselves the following: What should I do if I’m confronted with a death diagnosis? What would I like my end of life to look like? What would I like the people I love to communicate with me? It’s a difficult discussion to engage in. But, having these conversations with our family friends, doctors, and other loved ones could be the difference between getting the kind of death that the patient would like or that doesn’t let you be a part of the end of your life journey.

It is interesting to note that the former President Jimmy Carter enrolled in hospice in the month of February this year. He was 99 when he celebrated his birthday in October. The former President is the longest-lived President as well as the one who has the most prolonged post-presidency. The President is also the only ex-President I know of who, following having been diagnosed as suffering from a fatal illness receiving aggressive treatment and suffering a number of hospitalizations and falls in the past, decided to put an end to the curative treatment and hospital stays by spending the rest of his life doing the best way he could doing what he enjoys. In a piece that first was published on The Rhode Island Current, President Carter is able to access an array of people who help him determine and appreciate how he wishes spending his days. What is most important for me is the assurance that each service that President Carter receives as a hospice patient is accessible to all who they are enrolled in hospice, not only former presidents.

Another incredible hospice story, where I am aware that an early admission to hospice made an enormous impact, is a story about one of my relatives. A few days ago I popped in to see my family member smiling while she hugged and read a book to her granddaughter, who was 2 years old. When we talked I was told that her plans for the evening were to dine with a handful of her best friends. The next week, I met her at school, as we were both going to “Grandparents Day.” The point I am making is that occasions like these could seem normal to the majority of. But it was shocking to a few when they discovered that this lovely grandmother had an advanced terminal illness and was in hospice for four months.

Many people believe that hospice is sitting in a bed, in a state of consciousness. A former President Jimmy Carter and my precious cousin prove that this isn’t always the case. I would like to add that the fact that many of his final days, weeks and even months weren’t normal and would not be possible without the assistance of hospice.

Let me also add that the experiences of many. Hospice’s goal is to provide special treatment for patients who are dying along with their loved ones. Simply put it is a way to live your life to the fullest in dignity, regardless of the length of time left.

After reading this tale you will be able to understand the attitude of one our hospice nurses. She was recently asked “How do you get a job in hospice? That must be very difficult!” She answered, “It is a privilege to be a hospice nurse. I am happy that, even though I live with a terminal illness Hospice isn’t about death, but taking advantage of every day.”

Hospice care is a means of the ability to manage pain, control symptom psychosocial assistance, and spiritual support to those suffering from cancer and families in the event that the possibility of a cure is not feasible. The hospices in the United States provide care to more than 1.5 million people each year, and their caregivers and families too. (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organisation)

“The final day of our lives deserves the same beauty, love with respect and dignity as it did at the start.” Anonymous

Vickie C. Wacaster Aveanna Hospice (formerly Comfort Care Hospice) Patient and Hospice Advocate

The article COLUMN The month of November falls under National Hospice, Palliative Care Month was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.