Survey says, "I want to die in the hospital"????

While surveys point us to believe that most Americans wish to die at home it would be interesting to see how many caregivers wish for their loved one to die at home.

 

Another point for using hospice.  Social workers and case managers can help us as caregivers come to terms with the feelings that we can't deal with the death of a loved one at home.

 

A social worker once spent time with the wife of a patient who said she did not want her husband to die at home.  "Please make sure it happens in a hospital".

The husband said he wanted to be at home but knew his wife could not handle it. 

I wonder when we will be able to accept the death of a loved one at home?  I certainly don't want to experience it but if my husband wants to be at home when he passes, that is where he will be and I hope he can do the same for me.  Fortunately, we are not having to make that decision at this time of our lives so it is a perfect time to discuss it.

What's your thoughts about someone you love dying in their own home?

 

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Words to live by - Bible Verse Reminds Me of Hospice Volunteer Qualities

King James Bible
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Volunteers choose to serve and I believe that following this wonderful verse, the volunteer can only increase the satisfaction of patients, families, and themselves.

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Hospice and Patient Centered Care - The Facility Experience

"amenities are a critical part of the patient experience and possibly even a valuable component of patient-centered care" How Does Your Hospital Room Make You Feel? By PAULINE W. CHEN, M.D Published: December 16, 2010 While most of us, doctor and patient, would agree that having at least a few amenities would be nice, they don’t come cheap. Improving a hospital’s nonclinical services has been shown to be more costly than similar adjustments in clinical care; and it’s unclear whether the benefits are worth the cost. Third party payers like Medicare currently underwrite a large portion of these services when they pay a fixed amount for each patient discharged with a certain diagnosis. But under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, these expenditures could come under more scrutiny. Hospitals will be reimbursed according to a value-based payment system; and those “values,” which have yet to be determined, may not include the nonclinical aspects of a patient’s experience. That is unless all of us, doctors and patients, can finally acknowledge that all aspects of a patient’s hospital experience count. “Whether Medicare dollars should be used for these services is an important question,” Dr. Romley said. “But the happiness and joy that these amenities provide for patients over the course of what is otherwise a difficult experience is something we should respect.” Added Dr. Goldman: “It’s not just about patient survival anymore; it’s also about the patient experience.”

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"Everette Payne's Second Wind Dream - Part 4"

I love being a part of the Second Wind Dreams program. I must say that the board members and contributors to the dream really were left out of the interview but were such a tremendous part of the dream. But, that's what good board members do; they stay behind the scenes making sure that everything turns out perfectly. If any board member is reading this, let me just say from the bottom of my heart "Thank You!"

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Hospice Hearts and Cardiology

I ran across an article this morning that I found a few months ago.

Like a memorable song, the content plays in your head and you forget it.  Later when it reappears you remember what a great song it was. So it was with this article.

Donald P. Copley, M.D., a cardiologist wrote about the benefits

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