I'd like to underscore what Rich says. My family has had a long (more than thirty years) involvement in the hospice movement (in the SF Bay Area, not here) and usually the biggest problem for a family is that they fail to call on hospice soon enough. There's a feeling that this is somehow "giving up." But the fact is, everybody benefits, both the family and the patient--and the sooner the better, for all the reasons Rich says.
Pamela On Jun 16, 2011, at 9:02 PM, Rich Murray wrote: > Until I retired in 2006, I worked full time and more for two decades > as a home hospice care giver in Santa Fe for all the agencies, in > hospitals, and every kind of private home and rental unit. > > Any well established agency provides excellent helpers, as well as > visits by RNs, respiratory techs, pastors, counselors, > nutritionists... > > It reduces the load on family members, who can be otherwise drawn in > past their limits of energy, worry needlessly, or not be informed > about myriad practical details. > > Good givers have an trusting, accepting, allowing, receptive, patient, > supportive, flexible, open minded, respectful, practical attitude. > > Home care is usually far preferable to hospital or nursing home care, > if practical. > > Family members may benefit deeply on many levels by sharing the life > experience of a loved one at home with hospice care. > > Rather complete pain control with modern drug delivery is available. > > There's no perfect or right way to live this phase of life experience > -- it's as individual and unique as any other aspect of living. > > In mutual service, Rich Murray 505-819-7388 > > On Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 7:09 PM, Owen Densmore <[email protected]> wrote: > >> We are considering hospice care for a family member here in Santa Fe. >> >> Has anyone experience with this? What are the problems? Upsides? >> Downsides? Pros/Cons? >> >> Thanks >> >> -- Owen > > ============================================================ > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv > Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College > lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org > "Should I refuse my dinner because I don't understand the digestive system?" Oliver Heaviside
============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
