|
Thomas J. Simms, RN, CHPN
Tom Simms, RN, CHPN is Director of Education and Quality at Lighthouse Hospice, Inc. located in Cherry Hill, NJ. With 35 years experience as a Registered Nurse, he lends a significant expertise to the Lighthouse Hospice program. Mr. Simms is also Section Leader for the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals Steering Committee on Development, Public Relations and Marketing. He was formerly co-Chairman of the Hospice-Veterans Partnership for the NJ Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
  Articles by this Author
Typically, the articles appearing in this section of both the
Burlington County Woman and Camden County Woman publications focus on
some aspect of hospice care such as the management of end-of-life
issues, grief and loss, caregiver concerns, etc. However, this article
is different. This one is personal.
Rarely, if ever, in the course of an individual’s serious illness and
treatment is there one, single, readily-apparent moment when the focus
of care clearly shifts away from being curative and becomes palliative
or, hospice care. Just as treating the disease is a process, so is
preparing ourselves for end of life when cure is no longer possible.
According to academic studies, bereaved family members whose loved ones were enrolled in hospice at least three months before death reported receiving nearly 95% of the services they expected. In addition, they found these services to be of greater benefit than families of patients with shorter lengths of stay.
Everyday we are confronted with countless numbers of choices. Each must
be con-sidered and decisions must be made. Should it be corn flakes or
bran? Maybe fruit today? Is this a good time to apply for that new
position at work? Should I wear the blue shirt or the white one today?
Can I afford that new car or should I wait? So it goes… choices, big and
small, and frequently some decisions are put off only to be
reconsidered, yet again, the next day.
Condolences upon the death of a loved one often suggest that time will heal the pain, that letting go is essential to moving on with life and that the memory of the loved one will fade. Yet, significant pain may return for many years or even a lifetime; the truth is, memories don’t simply disappear (nor would we want them to); and letting go completely may not be possible or even healthy.
Each of us experiences loss. Whether it’s something as simple as not
being able to find misplaced car keys when you are late for an
appointment or, a major life-altering loss such as the death of a loved
one, loss always has impact.
According to experienced family caregivers, the staff of a good hospice should...
It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved
one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of
the family has a different idea of what should be done and what the
patient would have wanted.
The decision to elect hospice care can be a very difficult and
confusing experience for patients, their families, and caregivers. The
skilled professionals at Lighthouse Hospice recognize the emotional
toll levied on individuals who are facing life-limiting illness and on
families who are dealing with escalating care demands for their loved
one.
As a true medical option, hospice offers the services and support that Americans want when coping with life-limiting illness. Considered to be the model for high-quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice provides a team of healthcare specialists that offer expert medical and nursing care, pain-and-symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support. All care is tailored to the patient’s unique needs and wishes.
Blogs by this Author
|
|
