Citizens' Center
For Your Information
E-Mail address: [email protected] Website: www.geocities.com/seniors38464
Sandra Calvert, Director Ryan Durham, Chairman
By Eddie Rogers, Bereavement Counselor, Chaplain
Hospice of the Highland Rim
Some would say that Hospice is a death sentence. Wait! Patients are referred to Hospice who have a life expectancy of 6 months or less per their doctor. First, notice Hospice philosophy: �The Plan of Care includes meeting physical, psychological, social and spiritual stresses experienced during the final states of illness and bereavement.� Dr. Cicely Saunders (founder of the modern day hospice) summed it up best by telling her patients, �You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die.
There is an old saying that �there is no place like home.� When a terminally ill patient is in a situation where no more curative care is offered, often, they want to go home. That is where Hospice comes in. We offer a special, unique type of care, at home, called Palliative Care. Allow me to explain Palliative Care. The goal of this kind of care is to �manage pain and symptom relief, so the patient can enjoy their families and friends for as long as they have. Perhaps it can be best described as �comfort care.�
What are the advantages of being at home? At home you and your primary care provider direct the show in coordination with your personal doctor. Hospice supports you by sending in highly trained registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who are trained in pain and symptom relief for patients. The great aspect of this care is that our nurses are on call 24/7. When you need them -- they will come!
Certified nurse assistants are available to give comfort care to your loved ones, in the privacy of your home. Imagine the comfort provided by a bath, shower, required grooming and clean clothes and fresh sheets on the bed. These care providers are some of the most compassionate people whom I have met in Middle Tennessee.
We also send social workers to take care of the medical and legal issues that come with this special type of care. The social worker is an excellent listener, armed with a wealth of information which families need in order to make the best decisions. Information is a key to keeping stress at a manageable level.
Chaplain and Bereavement Services are included in the entire package. This person is not intended to take over anything but merely serves as an additional team member to help as needed. The key remains living life to it�s fullest while preparing for the �last things� of life.
Bereavement Services are available in Lawrence and surrounding counties at no cost to the participant. A Grief Support Group meets every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Lawrence County Senior Center. The Center has been kind enough to offer a meal to group participants at 12:00 noon each week. Everyone is invited to participate and take advantage of this service. Group participation is voluntary, and confidentiality is respected and honored. We can help!
CARING, COMPASSION, and HOPE -- the focus of this special kind of care When we serve in homes, we connect and make a significant difference. We can help! I want to urge you to call on us and we can come into your home or into a hospital room to explain hospice care without obligation. When you are ready, check out Hospice Care; you will be glad you did. Eddie Rogers
