NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 13
S U M M E R / F A L L 2 017
of Allied Services Palliative Program, to
making a difference in our community by
embarking on a community-based Palliative Care program at Allied Services. The
Palliative Care Program will be an extra
layer of medical support, appropriate at
any age and at any stage in a serious illness,
provided simultaneously while seeking
curative treatment.
* 90% of people say that talking with their
loved ones about end of care is important,
My father chose to end his treatment
yet only 27% have actually done so.
3 months prior to his death. We received * 60% of people say that making sure
Hospice care after my father began to be
their family is NOT burdened by tough
terminally agitated 1 week prior to his death.
decisions is "extremely important," howThe care he was entitled to, and yet never
ever, 56% have not communicated their
received, is the catalyst which drives my
end-of-life wishes.
passion for Hospice every day. I do not want * 80% of people say that if seriously ill, they
another family to experience the anxiety,
would want to talk to their doctor about
fear and frustration my family experienced
end of life care, but only 7% report having an
during the last weeks and months of his life.
end-of-life conversation with their doctor.
LUCKY BUSINESS
82% of people say it's important to
put their wishes in writing, yet only
23% have actually done it.
90% of people say that talking with their
loved ones about end of life care is important,
yet only 27% have actually done so.
Conversely, I am a true proponent for
conversations, which is the basis for initiating a Palliative program. My father knew he
wanted to live out the remainder of his life
surrounded by family and friends. He no longer wanted to spend hours in doctors' offices.
He should have been referred to Hospice the
day he decided to forego treatment. However, no one spoke to us regarding end-of-life
decisions, advancing illness, where HE saw
his care, what HIS wishes were and WHO
should make sure his wishes were followed
if he could not state them himself. Because
of that, the burden of decision-making fell
on me, the only member of the family with
a medical background. The uncertainty of
the decisions has plagued me for too long.
Placing my own personal experiences
aside, why am I a proponent of the "Conversation Project"? The numbers below
demonstrate the true need:
* 82% of people say it's important to put
their wishes in writing, yet only 23% have
actually done it.
I miss my dad every day, and feel my
children were cheated by his early departure
from this good Earth. But out of this tragedy
comes the hope I can help make a change for
others' experiences. I am passionate about
people understanding what Hospice is, when
it is appropriate to be started, and for people
so sorely lacking and are begging to be had
and services that should be understood.
Discussions will focus on what matters
to them, not what is the matter with them.
I know my family thanked the nurses
and staff of the VNA Hospice inpatient
unit 12 years ago for the tremendous care
rendered to my father. And now I'd like
to thank those same people for allowing me to give back to my community,
increase the care for those with advancing illnesses and end-stage illnesses, but
most importantly, every day I go to work
knowing that I can make a difference.
The fact is, I nearly departed my career
in nursing, but now I have found a passion, with purpose and true meaning that
drives me to make sure the best care is
provided, that doctors, nurses, patients
and families understand that Hospice is
not about death at all. Hospice is about
living your life comfortably, however long
that may be. And for those still seeking
curative treatment, but need assistance
understanding their advancing illness
and decisions that need to be discussed,
there now is additional care available.
80% of people say that if seriously ill, they
would want to talk to their doctor about
end of life care, but only 7% have done so.
to understand that you should not be afraid
A life well-lived deserves a good ending.
of Hospice. For those who have advancing Captain, this is all for you.
illnesses, specifically individuals who are still
seeking a cure, there will be help for those
LAURA MARION is the
patients too, and it is called Allied Services
Director of Allied Services
Hospice and was inspired to
Palliative Care. Certified Palliative care proreturn to a career in healthcare
viders will open discussions with patients,
following the death of her father,
families, and with many practitioners to
Stephen Pikulski, "The Captian,"
also shown in photo.
ensure quality of life as the patient sees it.
We will promote the discussions that are
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VITAL SIGNS
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 1
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 2
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 3
NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 4
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