#Hospice Support

[poly-medpharmacy]

There’s a hospice pharmacy in Northridge, California that goes above and beyond for hospice patients and their families. At Poly-Med Pharmacy, we understand the importance of reliable and compassionate care, especially during difficult times. As the go-to pharmacy residents rely on, we’re proud to offer 24/7 hospice support to our community.

[allcomforthospice]

Watching a loved one experience declining health can be one of life’s most challenging experiences, especially when their symptoms become increasingly difficult to manage. In Santa Clarita, California, families often face such situations and turn to palliative care for support. Palliative care in Santa Clarita, California is a specialized approach focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, providing relief from symptoms and stress for both the patient and their family members.

[caringhandspalliativeandhosp]

End-of-life planning, a comprehensive process involving preparations for the final stages of life, becomes particularly crucial when considering hospice care. This specialized form of care, administered by healthcare professionals, is tailored to assist individuals nearing the end of their life journey, emphasizing comfort and quality of life. So, what does end-of-life planning for hospice care entail?

[servant-homecare]

More and more families are recognizing the importance of home care in preserving the well-being, dignity, and independence of their beloved seniors. Whether it is personal care, companionship, hospice support, or mobility, there is a wide array of services already available that will help older people navigate the challenges that come with aging.

[remembertheplunge]

I've never been here before

May 21, 2023 8:38pm. Sunday

May. May Day. May pole. Mayhem. Melee (May-Lay)

I’ve never been here before. I’ve never known this shade of dark living. Since 1958, I’ve never known a Zoe-less world. I’m not the same person that I was. (before Zoe's death)

In a B J Miller hospice you tube talk tonight, the moderator asked if returning to work aided the mourning process.

BJ said to balance the two. There is a need for grieving and a need for work. Integrate them. He used some other term, but, that’s what he meant.

So, back to work tomorrow.

10:03pm

While lying in bed, I felt someone rub the top of my head. Then, a moment later, I felt 3 taps on my forehead.  I said “Hello Zoe. Are you there?” (There was no one else in the room with me)

5/24/2023 Wednesday 9:26pm

Zoe’s been dead for 10 day’s now. What’s it like to have been dead that long, Zoe? Skyler and I had a long talk tonight about how lonely this journey is. No one can understand, comprehend. They don’t need to. I have never felt this before or been here before. The Zoe-less world. I still can’t believe it.

End of this part of these journal entries

Zoe was born in 1958 and died on May 14, 2023. I was born in 1955.

BJ Miller is an end of life care physician who speaks and writes on the topic of end of life care.

Skyler, Zoes friend, was instrumental in providing end of life care to her.

Skyler and I talked today, May 2, 2024. The one year anniversary of Zoe's death is difficult for both of us.

So odd to think that I haven't talked with Zoe for about one year.

Im posting a photo tonight containing photos of Zoe taken in San Diego in the 1980's. She lived and taught elementary school there for 20 years. I glued her photos to a record containing the sound track from the 1985 movie "A Room With a View". I saw the movie just as I began my volunteer work with men with Aids in Sacramento in 1986. The beauty of that film and its title song , Puccini's "O Mio Babino Caro" infuse my memories of the tragic, brave and beautiful early days of Aids work. And, caught the gentle touch that Zoe gave to life as well.

[islandofthesnakes]

Ik this probably isnt gnna get much traction but...

My grandma is dying and my fam is poor so we need some help

any and all help is appreciated, thanks

[poughkeepsies]

ben affleck.jpg

[69consellationsinatrenchcoat]

What does one do when they're bored with their current courses and can't take psychology yet because their school doesn't offer it?

Buy a second hand copy of a psychology textbook and spend the next week pouring over it.

[great-and-small]

My grandfather and my godfather (a beloved neighbor and dear family friend) had a long standing bet- for one dollar- about who would die first. Both of them being slightly pessimistic (in the funny way), they both insisted that they themselves would be the first to die. Any time my grandfather had a health scare, he’d gleefully call up my godfather to boast that he’d be passing “any day now” and he was sure to win the bet. It was a big family joke and they were always amiably sparring and comparing notes about who was in worse shape, medically speaking.

When my grandfather was in hospice care dying of liver cancer, my godfather was quite ill also. It took him great effort to make the journey to see his dying friend. As he came into the room, supported by a family member, he shuffled to my grandpa’s bedside and silently handed him a dollar bill. He was ceding his loss of the bet, as they both knew who was going first. My grandpa had been in quite bad shape for a while and was no longer able to speak but let me tell you he snatched that dollar with unexpected strength and literally laughed aloud. He knew exactly what the gesture meant and he couldn’t help but find the humor within the grief. It was the last time any of us heard my grandpa laugh, as he passed shortly after.

When I talk about my appreciation for “dark humor” I’m not so much thinking about edgy jokes, but rather the human instinct to somehow, impossibly, both find and appreciate the absurdity that is so often folded into the profound grief of life and death. When I tell this story I think it kind of perturbs people sometimes, but it’s honestly one of my favorite memories about two men I really deeply admired. I could never hope for anything more than for my loved ones to remember me laughing until the very end, and taking joy in a little joke as one of my final acts.

[kimberlyharrisus]

Experienced Hospice Care Support Team in Bradenton, FL

HomeWell Care Services in Bradenton, FL offers an experienced hospice care support team providing compassionate care, comfort, and dignity for patients in their final journey. Team ensures quality end-of-life care and emotional support for individuals and families during this difficult time. For more details, visit at https://homewellcares.com/in-home-care-fl-bradenton-fl1802/ today.

[elkahospicecareinc]

When it comes to hospice care in North Hollywood, California, for your aging parents, finding the proper support is essential. As the primary caregiver, you shoulder many responsibilities but don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Elka Hospice Care, Inc., we understand families’ challenges during this delicate time.

[limitlesshospice]

When facing the journey of hospice care in Los Angeles, California, it’s natural to seek solace and support in various forms. Amidst medical treatments and emotional challenges, finding peace becomes paramount. In Limitless Hospice, we recognize the significance of addressing spiritual needs alongside physical comfort. Our holistic approach acknowledges the importance of spiritual support in enhancing the quality of life during this transition.

[interimsanjose]

home healthcare services in Sanjose,CA | Interim

Discover comprehensive hospice, home healthcare and medical staffing services in Sanjose, CA with Interim HealthCare. Personalized care for the comfort and health of your loved one.

[allcomforthospice]

Enrolling early in hospice care is a decision that can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals facing terminal illnesses. Santa Clarita, California is where palliative care options are abundant, promptly accessing hospice services is paramount. Palliative care in Santa Clarita, California offers a spectrum of supportive services designed to alleviate pain and manage symptoms, ensuring patients experience comfort and dignity throughout their journey.

[remembertheplunge]

She is resolute. She is ready to go

May 9, 2023 Tuesday. 8:24pm

Javier from Hospice came to Zoe’s house at about 1pm. Denise and I were there with Zoe.

Skyler arrived soon after.

Denise, Skyler and I didn’t sleep well last night.

I was up at 2am. Went back to bed later for awhile.

I’m still in shell shock. Lack of sleep. And, it rips me up to see Zoe like this. There is an unspeakable horror tinge to it.

She is resolute. She is ready to go.

End of entry

Notes: One year later, May 9, 2024 Thursday 7:53pm

The above is a part of a continuing blog series which I began in May of 2023 and can be found in my blog archive.

I’m now reading and reviewing the blogs from the same day last year leading up to and after her May 14th death.

I had driven from my home in Modesto, California the 4 hours up to Chico the morning of May 9, 2023. Denise and Skyler were friends of my sisters who were going to aid in her end of life care. Javier from Enloe Hospital Hospice arrived and explained what to expect with Zoe’s end of life process. On May 9, Zoe was still very much conscious and aware of the nature of our meeting She was talking and making sense.Her attitude was good. She was present when Javier talked with us.

When the others left, Zoe and I sat her small living room area. She a large flat screen TV  elevated and 10 feet from where we were sitting. It played classical music and had beautiful changing nature scenes. Prior to her terminal illness, Zoe was an avid watcher of the news. She loved being up with what was going on in the world.

But now, her watching the nature scenes seemed to be part of her saying good bye to this world. Those scenes haunt me a bit now. Such huge signs of transition.

Zoe must have told me that she was ready to die. Thus, my line in the journal entry that she was resolute and ready to go. She maintained that resolve to let go into death until she went into a coma a few days later. The only even slight complaint she had about the experience was that she was surprise death would come so fast.

Zoe would die on May 14, 2023.

[myhorizoncommunityservices]

Hospice Vs Palliative Care

When you or a loved one is seriously ill, it’s often hard to manage not just medical issues, but physical, emotional and practical problems as well. This can make decisions about treatment even harder. Fortunately, a special kind of medicine called palliative care is available to help. It focuses on managing pain and symptoms, and provides emotional support for patients and families.

A doctor can refer someone to hospice vs palliative care. It can be given at home, in a hospital, or in a long-term care facility. Most insurance covers the cost.

Palliative care is for anyone with a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, heart disease or lung disease, kidney failure, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), HIV/AIDS and other progressive neurological conditions. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life by reducing or eliminating suffering and improving a patient’s ability to participate in activities they enjoy. It is offered as a complement to curative treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Eligibility for hospice usually requires a physician to determine that the person is terminally ill and has six months or less to live. However, many people receive palliative care and never transition to hospice. Palliative care can be provided in conjunction with curative treatment, but once a person’s condition progresses and the outlook becomes more terminal, a decision might be made to stop life-extending treatment and focus solely on comfort care.

A patient is considered to be in stage 3 of palliative care when the benefits of continuing curative treatment outweigh the burdens and side effects of the treatment. They would then move to hospice care, where the emphasis is on addressing the person’s comfort needs and providing family bereavement support.

It’s important to talk with your health care team early about your options and wishes for end-of-life care. A tool funded by the National Institute on Aging, PREPARE for Your Care, can help you express your goals in advance and get them documented. It’s also a good idea to share your wishes with family members, as they can be helpful in making choices about end-of-life care. You may also want to consider speaking with a palliative care specialist and a member of your spiritual community for guidance in determining what type of end-of-life care is right for you or your loved one.

My Horizon Community Services was created for people with special needs, friends and families who need a better way to access individualised disability support. We provide a wide range of tailored, flexible and quality disability services and support coordination for people living with disabilities for their choice and needs. We are based in Brisbane, Queensland.