Transition

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Senses data: 3 transitioned in the last 24 hours - 2 new admissions during our shift - All 20 rooms occupied

- Only one patient who got admitted 3 hours before our shift became critical and the nurse called for final transition recitation from the Bible. A father dressed in black coat came in and recited something for less than 10 minutes - I am hoping that the lady patient would transition peacefully after her wish was fulfilled.

- Wife of a husband who passed away in December 2018 came to visit the volunteers - She was very grateful to the volunteers for helping her overcome her grief when she lost her husband - She brought some wonderful ear rings and offered that to the volunteers - Volunteers politely refused accepting gifts and said there were merely performing their duties as volunteers. However, it is so nice of the family member to visit to thank the volunteers.

- An Ambulance staff who brought a patient told her story of how she lost her father 20 years ago in the care center of the Hospice - She said that every time she gets an opportunity to bring a patient to the Hospice, she thinks of her father getting treated in the Hospice - She shared her wonderful experience with the Hospice.

Viswa

 

Combination of many methods. Those who have Medicare or commercial insurance and covered for their medical costs, the Hospice would charge them. Those who have no insurance, the cost of medicare for them is covered by voluntary donations, government grants, etc. Many patients who were taken care by the Hospice write a will to donate money to the Hospice.

Yes. The guideline indicates that there should be no financial dealing with the patient. Besides, even gifts by the patient can't be received by the volunteer. Strictly, if the patients were to offer anything to the volunteers, they are supposed to tell them to pay directly to the Hospice. In the past, they have taken action against volunteers who have ended up accepting gifts and/or money from the patients. In these interactions, it is always hard for the Hospice to tell patients/volunteers to not go beyond their routine care. They encourage volunteers to interact freely with the patients but subject to no financial dealings with them.

That is up to you. If the infection is the concern, the Hospice protects the volunteers well by asking them to wear a gown and gloves and even trained us how to wear and remove it without touching outside of the gown and glove.

I always enjoy reading your questions and welcome your thoughts. I am glad you are motivated to volunteer. I will keep posting as many times as possible and please read it when you have the time.

 

Saturday, February 23, 2019

16 patients - 2 newly admitted (both came in highly sedated with no consciousness) - 4 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Families visiting the patients were extraordinarily nice with us. One aged 88 got admitted due to Lung cancer. There were many family members visiting him. One of his daughters asked me whether we have a copy of "Gone from my sight - The Dying Experience" written by Barbara Karnes (RN). Unfortunately, we didn't have the book handy and I offered to her that I can go and get it. She politely refused.

Today is a Volunteers Lunchon in the morning and I skipped it to be on time for my duty at the Hospice. Despite a lot of work back at home due to the absence of my wife, I still managed to get out for 3 hours to volunteer.

A nurse asked me to watch a patient for 10 minutes and she appeared to be normal. When I politely inquired about what I need to focus my attention on she told me that the patient was suffering from unusual protein in her blood stream choking her from time to time. I never heard of that health condition before.

Other than that, it was a normal day. One question I am trying to find answer. I notice that immigrant families support the patients more than second generation Americans. May be the families feel too separated and don't understand the emotional support needed when a patient is transitioning.

 

It is phamplet looking book with deep insight about death and happenings at the time of eternal departure. It was distributed to us as part of the training.

You are right. I meant the Hospice patients.

 

Dear Caughtinbetween,

Thank you for stopping by and I am so happy to hear that you read everyone of my post here. I was also deeply moved by your thoughts about your mother and her last moments. It is always difficult when we loose a parent and I lost my father when I was 33 years old. I grieved for a fairly long period of time and it was difficult for me to let go at that age. He led a very simple life and always helpful to everyone around him. He was a real role model for me. I am so happy to read how attached you were with your mother.

I read a Veterinarian note recently and he said how badly the pets want to spent their last minutes with their respective parents and unfortunately most of them when they decide to put them down, don't want to see them put down. Among humanity people leaving have different emotions and feelings. Some like to hold hands of their kith and kin and believe their departure will feel good if they know their kith and kin are okay about their departure. Others like to detach themselves from their kith and kin so that they can withdraw themselves from the worldly attachments.

The spark in their face when they leave is very unique. They sometime see those who have left earlier accepting them and they could not see what is real and what is unreal.

I really like you being up front about how you feel when other parents cook for their adult children and pamper them. It is natural to feel that way but you being a mother now should give that love to your baby. Please see your mother in the baby and shower your love. I am sure you will begin to feel better and better.

At the age of 64, I am learning so much out of this Hospice experience.

Viswa

 

Saturday, March 2, 2019

18 patients - 2 new admission - 4 deaths in the last 24 hours - 1 happened at 4:05 p.m. just before we reported at 5 p.m. There were so many family members visiting her until after 6 p.m. They had a brief ceremony in the grieving room. 1 Veteran died after we reported duty. He was covered with a National Flag before he was taken out of the Hospice.

Chaplain was very busy since morning. He attended 3 anointing ceremony in the morning and 2 in the evening. He is a Cathalic Priest and told us when he came to make green dot entry next to the patient that he attends minimum of 23-24 every month. He was working full time in the Hospice earlier and now he is attached to a Church but provides community service for those who need anointing. He said the family consent is necessary to perform such rituals. One young priest was asking a lot of questions to him and the older one was explaining the process.

It is my understanding that applying oil in the head or body is like bidding goodbye to someone by the family. It is done when someone is critically ill provided the patient has given his/her consent to perform such a ritual. I wonder what would happen if that person recovers and go back home?

The one he performed in the evening is for a patient who was 92 years old and he was conscious when he came to perform the ritual. He was complaining about how the family left him alone to perform the ritual when it is necessary to listen to the recitation when he performs anointing. Who can understand the religious practices? Even I recite so many of the Mantras without understanding of what I say. At least in the US, we can ask the priest to explain the purpose of the ritual and they explain it in good English.

No patient duty this week but there were so much of action around us.

Viswa