By
Sue Rice, RN, CHPN
Suncoast Hospice Director of Admission
Practices
 |
| Sue Rice, Suncoast Hospice Dir. of Admission Practices |
“I wish we
had known about your services sooner.” This is the most common feedback we hear
from our community when they share their Suncoast Hospice experiences.
As a registered
nurse working at Suncoast Hospice for the past 19 years, I understand how
difficult the first conversation about hospice can be. I also understand that it
can be just as difficult for physicians and families to start the conversation. I'm specially trained to visit patients and
families to help educate and guide them as they consider if it’s time for
hospice.
I recently met
with a gentleman and his wife at their home and assessed him for our
services. He told me, “Hospice just sounds so final.” I was grateful that he had
opened the emotional door and allowed me to come in and
explain the value of accepting hospice care sooner rather than later.
As he and
his devoted wife shared their journey of living with a serious illness, they
recognized that there comes a time when the
battle is about quality of life. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and
tired,” he shared. I listened as he recounted the numerous tests, doctors’
appointments and emergency room visits he had experienced because of the increasing
symptoms that were robbing him of comfort, sleep, energy and overall enjoyment
of life.
As I
explained that our interdisciplinary medical teams of hospice professionals are
available to quickly and effectively manage his pain and symptoms at home, his
wife expressed relief that she could call us any time, day or night. I also discussed
our care centers as alternatives
to more hospital stays. I explained how our expert physicians and staff provide
quick and effective pain and symptom management in the care centers’ compassionate
and calm environments, allowing patients to return home after their pain is
resolved. “That sounds wonderful,” he said.
After our
conversation, the couple agreed that it made perfect sense to accept hospice
care sooner. And their feelings of fear and finality were exchanged for hope
and relief.
This same
peace of mind can benefit all hospice care patients and their families,
wherever the patients reside, including homes, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted
and independent living facilities. Especially if loved ones can’t be at the
bedsides or live out of state, it’s comforting to know that our skilled care
teams are there to work together with healthcare partners to provide tailored care
and support to patients and keep families informed.
It all
begins with a visit with one of our trained hospice representatives who can
inform you about your care options.
