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Rochester
Post Bulletin Hospice's
mutual support
By Jeff Hansel They are discussing people who are dying, but there are smiles all around the table. Laughter ripples; sometimes becoming boisterous. But there is no lack of respect as jocularity transforms in an instant to somber breaths, worried eyes and intense discussion. This is the world of hospice care. "We have a lot of humor, and that's one of the ways in which we cope," said Dr. John Woods, a Rochester physician who cares for hospice patients in their homes for Seasons Hospice. Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance. It provides nursing visits for those who choose to stay in their own homes, in assisted living or in nursing home care. Family members remain the primary caregivers, but hospice nurses are available for extended periods near the end of life. Patient status Patient care coordinator Lora Briese awoke before most people had time to start dreaming last week. But, as the on-call nurse, she was glad, because that's what hospice is all about; helping people die in comfort, with dignity and as little pain as possible. Nighttime needs center on pain, breathing trouble and, sometimes, the last stage of life. Hospice workers respond by telephone and in person. Each week, they meet to consider patient status, mull changes in care and brainstorm options for people with special needs. But meetings also serve as therapy sessions where the social worker, bereavement coordinator, massage therapist, chaplain, medical director, volunteer coordinator, admissions coordinator and billing clerk can deliberate, share, laugh, cry and re-energize. Briese said her job interview at Seasons made a lasting impression when patient care coordinator Rita Nolte said goodbye. "She gave me a big hug before I left. I've never gotten that in an interview before. It really made me want to work here," she said. It is that kind of personal attention that hospice has become synonymous with. Staff members attend patient funerals, not because it's their job but because they care. Humanity and humor The ebb and flow of the necessary humor, the seriousness -- the frank, inquisitive, compassionate, sometimes troubled, commentary from hospice staff discussing a variety of patient needs during recent weekly meetings shows the range of care: "She wants to come home. She wants to be closer to her family, which is what her family wants, too." -- Pam Schaid, RN, Seasons administrator. "I asked her if I could give her a goodbye kiss and she said, 'Oh, God, no!'" -- Nolte, to understanding laughter. Eliciting seriousness, then chuckles, "We can afford to do this. How many days are we from bankruptcy this month?" -- Dr. Tom Miller, medical director, discussing the need to make special arrangements for a patient. "Her respiratory status is changing. She won't acknowledge it -- but that's OK too." -- Nolte, to nods from the team. "Who are we to tell someone who's an expert?" -- Dr. John Woods, talking about a patient who knows how to use a medical device. "I'm going to have a rotten time with her death. You become very attached to somebody who's stronger than you are." -- Dr. Tom Miller, medical director. Professional, personal The job is professional, but the events are personal. Tears come, said nurse Audrey Boysen, a patient care coordinator, "any given time, any given week, any given day É because we're each other's support system." Bereavement services continue for family members a year after the patient's death, which is a normal, expected part of the job. But it is not easy. "You know it's going to happen, but you maybe are just never ready," Briese said, "and I think families feel that a little more than we do." |
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