Seasons Hospice Patient & Family Centered Care
[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER 1: Seasons Hospice is about caring. Compassionate care for people nearing the end of their lives. Care that focuses on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Comfort that goes beyond physical needs at a time when a cure is not the focus. Hospice is about emphasizing the quality of life and focusing on what matters most to the patient and family.
Seasons Hospice concentrates on caring, not curing. Treating the whole person, not the disease. Caring for the whole patient means going beyond the physical requirements for comfort and tailoring an individual plan to best meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of both patient and family.
Seasons Hospice: committed to adding quality of life to each day.
SPEAKER 2: It was amazing because, after all those months of operating in crisis mode, once we entered the hospice program and they were there to help us, we were no longer operating from crisis mode.
CHARYL MELTON: My son was very ill and I had chosen to be there for him. I promised him I would be there for him. It was exhausting taking care of Jeff. It all worked out just fine when we brought in Seasons. They were there for us when we needed them the most.
JULIE ASSEF: When people find out what hospice can do for them and how it's covered and how much of the care is available to them in their homes, it provides a great sense of relief. And you just see the relief coming in layers, even the first time we visit.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER 1: Seasons Hospice cares for the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families with a team of professionals that includes nurses and physicians, volunteer and chaplain services, music and massage therapists, social workers and grief counselors.
NARRATOR: Care is available wherever the patient lives, and at the Peaceful Seasons Hospice House.
JANE KERSTEN: We discussed the Hospice House. My mom's idea was that when you go to hospice, you come out to Seasons Hospice House. That was her thought. So she was ready to be packed up and ready to go. And then we learned more about the home health care, and decided that we would start out having, in addition to me helping mom on the weekends, would have a hospice nurse come out and help mom during the week. Just with medication management, with bathing, with any care she would need.
TIM HANSEN: One of the things about hospice care that people don't realize is that the majority of patients are treated in their homes. And it's maybe a little counter-intuitive, because it seems like people would be better off in a hospital where they have care available. But what a hospice program does, and what Seasons Hospice does, is they bring the care to the patient.
NARRATOR: Patients may choose to be cared for wherever they are most comfortable. Whether it is a private home, assisted living, nursing home, or other residence.
RAY SCOTT: My wife Kay has always been family-oriented. That was most important to her. And as we considered hospice care, we did not want to move her out of the home. That was her haven. And the family decided we were going to keep her home, and take care of her to the best of our ability. And as hospice visited with us, and talked about the options, that option was there and there is no decision on whether we were going to do it. We were going to do to it.
TIM HANSEN: My wife, she didn't want to be in the hospital. She wanted to be home. She wanted to be in her own space, where she could look out her own window and see her own garden. And feel comfortable. By entering hospice, that's what we were able to do. They made it possible for her to go home, for us to take her home, and for us to take care of her there.
JULIE ASSEF: And there are other services within the program as well, besides nursing.
NARRATOR: A licensed social worker provides support for the patient and family and helps the family identify community resources to respond to the needs of their loved one.
JULIE ASSEF: --very closely together. So they will tell each other if there's anything new going on.
BEVERLY HAYNES: We have social workers that can help with resources within the community to allow that patient to stay in their own home. Whether it's Meals on Wheels, or Lifeline, so that the patient is safer alone in their own home, then we can help set those services up for the patient.
JULIE ASSEF: So you can go with a clear mind and know that Steve's got someone with him.
FAMILY MEMBER: Oh, that's wonderful. That would be wonderful.
JULIE ASSEF: The social worker's role is also to make sure that people have the support they need in coping with the changes that are happening, both physically and emotionally.
JANE KERSTEN: There was some one time that I recall that my mother was taking her medications inappropriately and was very confused. Did not want to be told what to do. And my dad was trying to help her. And she was resenting my dad. And I was trying to be involved. And it was just a very, very stressful, tense situation for all of us.
JANE KERSTEN: The home care nurse came that day. And I happened to be there with her. And she said, let me give the social worker a call. And she was there within just probably 10 minutes. And we were able to sit down as a family with the nurse and with the social worker. And the social worker was able to come up with a solution for all of us. And it just made such a difference just in our relationship from then on.
NURSE: Yes, Dr. Smith. I'm one of the nurses here at the Hospice House.
And I'm calling on behalf of--
NARRATOR: The nursing staff works in concert with the patient's personal physician and coordinates the various aspects of care necessary to make each patient as comfortable as possible.
NURSE: --orders and medications. At this time--
TIM HANSEN: What they did for us was they took on the responsibility of dealing with all of the details of caring for someone like this. If we needed medical advice, they provided it. If we needed medicine, they provided it. If we needed equipment, they took care of it. All I did was call them, and they were there.
JULIE ASSEF: The doctor will take the calls from the hospice nurse, so they don't have to be waiting for that call back. And for many people, to know that that nurse is available to answer questions and address
concerns-- you can just see their shoulders relaxing and them starting to feel the relief of knowing that they have a new kind of support that will be there for them.
NURSE: I brought something for you that Dr. miller suggested for shortness of breath.
NARRATOR: If the goal is to keep the patient at home, then the hospice team provides education and training to empower the family to provide the needed care.
FAMILY MEMBER: --how to use it?
NURSE: He's ordered an nebulizer. This is the medication here. Snap the top off.
FAMILY MEMBER: That top right there just breaks?
NURSE: Yup. Just break it off. Twist it off.
JULIE ASSEF: The nurses gave us instructions on how to best care for her and things to look for as the disease progressed. And we were able to work with the nurses in learning those techniques, and then be able to care for her during the rest of the day while the nurses weren't there.
But if circumstances ever changed, or there was a new situation that arose, we had no problem calling them immediately. And they would come and help us to find a way to make her comfortable again.
JULIE ASSEF: One of the nice things about hospice is that the hospice nurses are available to you by phone 24 hours a day.
NARRATOR: Since questions about care can come up or conditions change at any time, Seasons Hospice has nurses on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
JULIE ASSEF: Isn't that a nice thing to know?
FAMILY MEMBER: It's so reassuring to know that you can make a phone call and somebody will be there that could help.
JULIE ASSEF: When the nurses first came and met with the family to find out what our situation is and our needs, they took time to get to know the family, especially Kay.
And as they talked with my wife, they asked her, what are two characteristics that will best describe you? Kay just kind of shrugged her shoulders. And one of the nurses says, well, I sense in you strength of character and humility. And at that point, I kind of knew that they were there to help me make her as comfortable as possible.
And not only then, they continued on where they got to know my family, my mother-in-law, our six children. And they became friends with us, and were available whenever we needed them.
JANE KERSTEN: The nursing care at Seasons Hospice is one of the highlights of hospice care. The nurses are so caring. In addition to caring physically for my mom, they were just like friends to her. And they showed such interest in her life and our family.
The care was absolutely fantastic 24/7. I asked her which was her favorite nurse? She would say, every single one is wonderful.
JULIE ASSEF: I just am so amazed at how professional and friendly and helpful they are. I've just been so pleased with their openness to talking to me when I have something that I need to bring up. I can't imagine a better setting than where I am now.
BEVERLY HAYNES: Seasons Hospice care goes beyond nursing and doctors.
JULIE ASSEF: A lot of times when people think about hospice, they think about nursing and how nursing can support them. And that's absolutely true. But really, nursing is just the beginning.
NARRATOR: The Seasons Hospice staff not only assists in caring for physical needs, but also offers the services to help ease emotional burdens, promote dignity, and lift the spirits.
JULIE ASSEF: We have people who can provide massage therapy, music
therapy-- wonderful aspects of personal care that are there just to provide some extra comfort and support.
JANE KERSTEN: When my mom first heard about music therapy, she thought, oh, I don't really know what I'd want them to play. But she just absolutely loved the music therapist. They had such a great relationship.
There were many times where my mom would call me at night and said, oh, I had the best day. There were certain songs that she would play. She remembered from week to week what my mother liked. It was just such a wonderful time for her.
MUSIC THERAPIST: OK, here's an old country waltz. I'm thinking of you and Fern on the dance floor.
NARRATOR: A music therapist works with patients exploring how music might help them achieve goals, alleviate discomfort, and enjoy their days.
MUSIC THERAPIST: [SINGING "NOBODY'S DARLING BUT MINE"]
BEVERLY HAYNES: We did have one patient who had his favorite music was one of the songs that he danced with his wife for their wedding. He also loved big band. And he also loved Celine Dion. And she was able to make him a CD of all the music that was really meaningful for him for him to have to play for his journey of end of life, which was very meaningful for him.
MUSIC THERAPIST: [SINGING "NOBODY'S DARLING BUT MINE"]
JULIE ASSEF: Music therapy has been a wonderful addition to our program.
BEVERLY HAYNES: Massage therapy can allow for relaxation of the patient.
MASSAGE THERAPIST: I'm going to start with your neck and the small part of your chest, and then into your face.
BEVERLY HAYNES: It can help decrease stress. It can help with pain relief.
Whether it's muscle ache or joint ache, or just pain from being immobile.
NURSE: How is your pain level?
NARRATOR: Seasons Hospice is about allowing the patient to gain control at a point when few choices are left.
NURSE: --increasing your pain medicine, do you think?
PATIENT: I don't think I would.
NARRATOR: The patient can make her own care decisions for as long as possible.
NURSE: If you do change your mind, I want you to give us a call and let us know, so we can stay on top of it.
JULIE ASSEF: Really what hospice looks to do is to understand what this person wants out of this time, and to tailor and personalize that plan of care to meet that person's goals. Not our goals, their goals as an individual.
PATIENT: They have made very clear to me that it's your life. You're in charge here. You make the choices. And that's been comforting also.
Because to some degree, it helps me understand they are really here helping me make this last trip.
JULIE ASSEF: So everything about hospice is really trying to give that patient back a sense of control about their life.
DR. THOMAS MILLER: Many of our patients have the opportunity to choose the circumstances in which they die. They would prefer not to be hooked up to tubes, and wires, and bells, and whistles, and all the distractions of tertiary care. They want peace and comfort. And we try to do everything we can to enhance their peace, their comfort, their dignity.
PATIENT: I'm becoming too much of a burden. It's hard for her to have a life.
FAMILY MEMBER: He worries about that. And I worry about him. I think we do spend a lot of time worrying about one another.
JULIE ASSEF: One of the nice things about hospice is that we have the professionals, but we also have volunteers. So the volunteers might be able to come sit with him for awhile, or do some errands for you that you haven't had time to do. Maybe just come and visit for a while so that you can go out and maybe do some things that have been sitting on the back burner.
FAMILY MEMBER: Then I wouldn't be worried.
BEVERLY HAYNES: We have volunteers that go into the home to help with many different things.
FAMILY MEMBER: I'm really glad to see you here today.
NARRATOR: Being the primary caregiver at home cannot only be physically exhausting, but emotionally depleting. So caregiver support is part of the Seasons Home Hospice plan.
VOLUNTEER:--to do the dishes?
NARRATOR: Both patients and caregivers benefit from extra assistance during challenging times.
JULIE ASSEF: What I see happening as hospice begins to interact with a patient and their family is that the family is able to reestablish the role that they had before they became the sort of M nurse for the moment.
JANE KERSTEN: I had spent so much time with my mom doing the bathing, doing the nail care. You know, it was kind of fun. And we tried to have a good time about it. But it definitely was stressful for my mom as well as for me. So when the hospice nurses came along, they were able to do all of those kind of activities with my mom. It made such a difference to me.
Because I felt then our relationship changed. Instead me being mom's caregiver, I was mom's daughter again.
TIM HANSEN: They create a situation where you can focus on that incredibly difficult task it is to say goodbye to somebody that you love so much.
NARRATOR: Sometimes, even with the in-home assistance offered by Seasons Hospice, a caregiver still needs break. Respite care is available through Seasons Hospice, so the patient can be cared for at Hospice House, providing the caregiver with a chance to rest and rejuvenate.
PATIENT: Good morning.
NURSE: How are you today?
PATIENT: I'm doing great, if I could just--
NARRATOR: Of course, the Seasons Hospice House is available for more than respite care. The Hospice House is there for patients who opt for care outside of their homes. Patients and families may choose care at Seasons Hospice House because of the peace of mind afforded by round the clock nursing, as well as the support of the entire hospice team.
The Hospice House provides care in a setting that lifts the spirits with a sense of oneness with nature.
PATIENT: There's a grief counselor here who has spent time with my sons.
And of course, with me. There's just so many ways that they've made this a family framework. I just know that it's not just about me. It's about helping my family go through this.
FAMILY MEMBER: There's a lot of emotions that you go through--
NARRATOR: The chaplain can help work through challenging end of life fears and concerns.
CHAPLAIN: I love this quote, "Hope is not about moving mountains." It's about picking up one stone at the time, moving it one step at a time.
NARRATOR: The chaplain can also help the family prepare for the bereavement process.
CHAPLAIN: And then you can begin to look at, how did you get through those hard times before?
GRIEF COUNSELOR: Our society wants us to get over our mourning within a few months.
NARRATOR: When a patient in hospice dies, care for the family continues with grief support services.
GRIEF COUNSELOR: --a love relationship.
NARRATOR: Both adult and family support groups help the bereaved understand the profound emotions brought by their loss, and help start them on the path to healing and renewal in their own lives.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER: --made a huge difference.
NARRATOR: The Seasons Hospice network of support services helps families adjust to their loss and continues with regular support groups and drop-in conference.
GRIEF COUNSELOR: Keep doing what works for you.
NARRATOR: Private sessions are also available to help individuals and families work through difficult emotions as they arise.
GRIEF COUNSELOR: We would be overwhelmed--
BEVERLY HAYNES: Allowing hospice to partner in care at end of life is having someone walk the journey with you.
RAY SCOTT: They team with you. They're just not there to take care of business and go away. But they're there to get to know and to help you.
And they do care about you.
JANE KERSTEN: Those last few months-- it's just so much better having the Seasons Hospice there for the support and the care that they give.
TIM HANSEN: It's hard to believe, but the reality is in the last two and a half months while she was in hospice, this was a beautiful time for me and for her, and for our family. That's what hospice can help people accomplish.
NARRATOR: Seasons Hospice is about caring, support, and quality of life.
Care that can allow the patient a sense of control and provide comfort.
Support that helps the patient make the most of their remaining time and lightens the caregiver's load. Peace that comes from physical comfort.
Emotional support and spiritual wholeness. Empathy that envelopes you, and the feeling that during your loved one's last life experience, you are not alone.
Seasons Hospice is about comfort and compassion when it is needed most.
When days cannot be added to life, Seasons Hospice is about adding life to the remaining days.
Season Hospice Cares
Seasons Hospice affirms and cherishes life, helping each person to live each day to the fullest extent possible.
Hospice is not a place but a philosophy of care. Our philosophy is that dying can be accepted as a unique part of life, respecting the right of each individual to actively participate in planning for how hospice care will be delivered, wherever the patient calls home. Home can be a private residence, nursing home, assisted living facility or our Hospice House located in southwest Rochester.
The emphasis of Seasons Hospice care is on quality of life, and on maximizing comfort as conditions take their natural course. Hospice care is holistic, delivered by a team of professionals and trained volunteers, designed to address the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological and social issues that accompany end of life. Care is designed to provide support not only to the individual, but to their family and other loved ones. Seasons Hospice Center for Grief Education and Support offers grief services for the families of hospice patients during their loved ones’ time on our hospice program, as well as up to thirteen months following the patient’s death.
Please watch the video to learn more about the care that Seasons Hospice offers and how Seasons helps the patient, caregiver, and family with physical care and comfort, emotional support, and feeling more at peace.
