Hospice The Good , The Bad, and The Ugly

On July 7th, The Record, North Jersey Media’s flag ship newspaper, published an article written by Leslie Brody entitled “The Other Side of Hospice”. The article was a true story about a bad experience with a hospice group that did not meet the expectations of the patient or the patient’s family. Ms. Brody, in a very professional way, outlined the failure of an organization in providing the services they were entrusted with. Unfortunately, in a terminal situation when hospice is finally called in, there is no opportunity for a second chance or to “make things right”.

As a geriatric nurse for over 25 years and a patient & family liaison for Life Source for the past 4 years, I fully understand the emotional pain and anguish suffered by a family when their loved one is in their final days.

Hospice services along with palliative care are often called upon too late in the end of life process and emotionally distressed families do not have the opportunity to make informed decisions. We spend more time researching the purchase of a car or big screen TV than the people that will help us transition from this life. As in all of our successful endeavors, we need to be proactive.

Benjamin Franklin once said “the only guarantees in life are death & taxes”. If the end of life is a guarantee, shouldn’t we prepare for it? When a patient or family is informed by their healthcare provider that an illness is terminal, regardless of how long the process takes, interviews with hospice/palliative care groups should begin. You need to meet with the group representative, the nurse and the social worker that will be involved with your case. You need to express your wishes and concerns and be sure that everyone understands that palliative care and pain management are key factors. A patient and family needs to feel comfortable with their chosen transition partner.

Healthcare in the United States as well as the patient demographics are changing dramatically. The “baby boomers” and medical insurance payments have opened the flood gates for large corporations to capitalize on the financial opportunities and in a hospital when a family is in a desperate situation they are there onsite. Now, that is not always a bad thing, however, sometimes it can be like dealing with a “big box store” and although the intentions are all good, the personal touch can be lost. Large corporations require well defined procedures and protocol and sometime the hospice personal do not have the flexibility to adjust to a client’s life style change. Privately held organizations usually have the ability to move and adapt to the patient or family’s changing situation much more rapidly. There is no requirement for a patient or family to use any one hospice group and there are many to choose from.

So, what is the answer to this very difficult and complex problem? Start doing your due diligence as soon as possible, before the actual services are required. When you know that the end of life is less than 1 year away, start interviewing hospice groups and start discussing palliative care. When your healthcare provider tells you it is time, all you will need to do is pick up the phone. A loved ones peace and dignity when passing on will help those left behind move on.

Life Source Services offers seminar and educational presentations that help families understand the options available. We explain the insurance coverage, the pain management and the transition process. It all needs to be done with compassion and dignity.

For more information or to schedule a family or organizational presentation please feel free to contact me at any time at 201-321-7497 or e-mail amarsh@lifesourcehospice.com