Comfort & Support

Foskey's first exposure to hospice nursing came while she worked on a neuro/stroke unit at an area hospital.

"I'd see the hospice nurses come in, but I didn't know what they actually did until I was in the room. I saw how they comforted and supported the patients and families," she recalled.

Gradually, she learned what a vital part these special nurses played and began to ask questions. Two-and-a-half years ago, she joined Good Shepherd Hospice.

"At first, I was overwhelmed. I saw the grief in patients' loved ones and I took it home with me," Foskey said. "You learn to find a balance and give the parts of you that are helpful - like your attention, presence, empathy and humor."

Critical Educators

Ultimately serving as the voice of the patient, hospice nurses work hard to make sure family members understand hospice care can ease the transition for patients, making them more comfortable and peaceful at the final stage of life.

The role of educator becomes especially critical when a family struggles to enroll a loved one in hospice. Staff reassure family members that hospice care focuses on "living" and the support available to patients facing a life-limiting illness. Hospice nurses help patients maintain quality of life and as much independence as possible.

In addition, some primary care clinicians - trained to cure patients - may initially struggle with the decision as well. To ease such doubts, Good Shepherd Hospice has a team of provider representatives that works with physicians to educate them about the program and services.

In the community, volunteers and staff members participate in health fairs and speaking engagements - finding it easier to educate people about end-of-life care before a medical crisis instead of in the midst of an emergency.

Extra Support

Good Shepherd Hospice has social workers to help navigate community services, hospice aides to handle personal care needs, chaplains to tend to spiritual matters and volunteers who enable family caregivers time away to recharge.

In addition, the hospice offers bereavement services for adults, teens and children after the death of a loved one.

"Right now, you've got a lot of people trying to deal with economic problems, like job losses and foreclosures," Guthrie added. "They can't afford some of the basic necessities, let alone medication. Now they're dealing with a dying loved one," Guthrie said.

In those instances, Good Shepherd Hospice tries to lift some of that burden by, when possible, linking families to social services. The hospice also provides all medication, supplies and medical equipment related to the hospice diagnosis at no charge to patients.

One-to-One Contact

Both Guthrie and Foskey value the one-on-one time they can spend with hospice patients, unlike the bustle of a hospital unit where bedside time can be very limited.

Said Guthrie, who formerly worked on a med/surg floor, "You seldom got to know your patients - everyone was admitted and discharged so quickly. Usually, you didn't know what happened to your patients after they left your care."

Added Foskey, "It's so rewarding to give the patient your undivided attention and help the transition through the end of life - you help people find peace in a very difficult time."

Karin Lillis is senior regional editor at ADVANCE.