Jessica Kitchens, Admissions Coordinator, Macon, GA
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007November is National Hospice Month. Hospice is a topic no one wants to think about and few want to talk about. I work for VistaCare hospice and I know first hand that Hospice is a much needed service. There are several myths and misconceptions about what we do and how we do it. When I tell people what it is that I do, I see the looks of surprise and fear on their faces.
Many people think that to call in hospice means to give up hope. In reality, Hospice helps to give the patient hope for a better quality of living. Having hospice often allows a loved one the time to be a family member and not a constant and weary caregiver. Hospice helps families to look at each day as a precious gift. It also encourages the families to say and do the things needed to begin the emotional healing process. Time is viewed in a different way with a life limiting illness. The time to plan, speak their thoughts and listen is all in somewhat short supply.
People often ask, “Isn’t your job depressing and sad?” With a quick smile I always say “not at all.” I believe that the special gifts my coworkers bring to families ease the suffering and fear that the illness brings to our patients and their loved ones. Certified Nursing Assistants give our patients their baths and help to preserve their dignity, and the nurses give assistance with the pain medications and answer questions about medical care and the disease progression so that the patient and family can be at ease. Social workers also play a key role in assisting with end of life planning as well as emotional, spiritual and financial concerns. Our Spiritual Care Coordinators support by providing a listening ear and a word of prayer. In addition, the wonderful Volunteers who do anything from a visit to sit with a lonely patient, to a card with a word of encouragement bring joy and support. Finally, the bereavement care brings hope and understanding to the loved ones left behind to help pick up the pieces and begin moving forward.
It is a gift to work with these wonderful people each day and see the blessings that hospice brings to our patients and their families. It is our distinct privilege at VistaCare to play a small part in the lives of those we serve. While it does sadden me to think of the ones we do not reach, I smile to think of the impression we have left with those we have served and those we will serve. David McCullough, biographer and historian once said “Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.” This accurately describes the wonderful group of people I am proud to call my co-workers and friends.
Hospice is not an occupation to me. It is a daily opportunity to embrace life. The privilege to enter this journey with our patients and families, providing compassionate skilled care, not only fulfills and challenges my professional goals, it enriches me as a person. Being able to do so at VistaCare is just an extra bonus.
I didn’t know much about hospice when VistaCare hired me almost five years ago. I have always believed that people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I am touched on a daily basis by the compassion and dedication that goes into making sure our patients and their families are cared for at the end of life. I’ve learned that it takes very special people to deal with end-of-life issues on a daily basis and to be able to bring joy and comfort to patients knowing it will only be for a ‘season’. These people are why I choose to work at VistaCare. VistaCare is an organization with an important mission and I’m proud to be a part of that. However, it’s the people I work with that make me look forward to coming to work each day. I’m thankful for the members of the VistaCare family that have come into my life for a ‘reason’ and for a ‘season’ and I’m especially thankful to those that I know will be with me for a ‘lifetime’.