National Hospice Month's Goal Is To Educate

By Joshua A. DeLung, The Roanoke Times

November 26, 2008

November is not only a time of thanksgiving, but also National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to raise awareness about care issues for people coping with a life-limiting illness.

As part of National Hospice Month, Good Samaritan Hospice in Christiansburg is hosting an open house Tuesday, during which information about palliative care will be available.

Hospice care is comprehensive, said Cindy Hagerman, director of community relations for Good Samaritan Hospice.

"For example, Good Sam offers programs such as 'Complementary Therapies,' which incorporates music, massage, pet and/or stress management into patient care when appropriate," she said. "Another program called 'Memory Catchers' allows patients to preserve their stories as an heirloom to share with loved ones in the years ahead."

Hagerman said the goal of the open house event is to educate about the philosophy of hospice care and to provide information about end-of-life planning. Hospice representatives will be available to speak with each visitor, and the group will have advanced directives available for visitors to fill out. An advanced directive tells doctors what kind of care you would like to have if you become unable to make medical decisions, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Web site.

"This event is for everyone," Hagerman said. "Everyone deals with end-of-life situations whether it's for them, someone they love or in support of a friend."

Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances, but Hagerman said Good Samaritan Hospice is committed to providing care regardless of a family's ability to pay. Much of this work is done through donations, she said, and the event at New River Valley Mall also features a Love Light tree, where visitors can make a donation in memory of a loved one, place the name on the tree in the mall and get an ornament.

Jean Weber is a social worker for hospice. She said the last five years of her life, since she began working for hospice, have been an important part of her life.

"Usually I say my role is to be supportive of the primary caregiver," Weber said. "The nurse tends to the patient, and I do care about the patient, but the families need a lot of support and attention and someone needs to look after their needs. It's emotionally, spiritually and physically difficult for them."

People often ask Weber if she finds her work depressing, but she said the death of a loved one is also a special time of life. Hospice workers help families know how to say goodbye or encourage them to share the things with loved ones they always wished they had talked to them about, she said.

"It's very meaningful," she said. "We're not only helping the patients, but also we're helping families." 

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