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A Clear Need for Clear choice
- 1. A Clear Needfor Clear Choice Living in the United States of America, we are genuinely blessed to have choices. In our democratic way of life, we have the right and hopefully the ability to choosethings that are important to us. Franklin D. Roosevelt once stated “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choosewisely. The real safeguard of democracy, and therefore freedom of choice, is education.” However, many people are not aware of the choices available to them during one of the most important aspects of life; the choice to die in peace while surrounded by loved ones. Although hard to pre-consider, it is often a missed opportunity and the facts are alarming. It has been shown that three fourths of us want to pass away peacefully at home, yet most don'tget that wish. In fact less than 25% of people die at home with most perishing in hospitals or nursing homes. Sadly, one fifth die connected to machines in the intensive care unit. Despite the statistics, there is a growing change in American culture as the Baby Boomer generation challenges the way the want to die. Writing for TIME magazine, Dan Kaldec affirmed, “Boomers will not be passive in the face of death, but instead are opting for a proactive stance on living life on their own terms, right until the end. As medical science has vastly extended the human lifespan in the last century, Boomers are taking advantage of that extension to lead lives that are not only longer, but fuller. As longer life spans are increasingly leading to longer periods of chronic, debilitating disease, Boomers are starting to ask how they might avoid this nightmare, and their insistence on living - and dying - on their own terms has fueled growing awareness of an important medical service; hospice and palliative care.” Too often, patients feel a loss of controlin their life due to their illness, but they and their loved ones must remember that health care is based upon choices, and that you are in control. By having choices in selecting the when and whofor hospice care, they gain a sense of control, and that can help create a better end of life experience for them and their family. Unquestionably, hospiceis an important and growing service. Just as clearly, the historical medical model is based upon “fixing the problem” or “curing the disease.” Therefore some attitudes and practices of medicine combined with a lack of information can create barriers to accessing hospice programs at a critical time. Although often unintentional, physicians have been identified as the most common
- 2. barrier for thetoo-late hospice referral. As a patient and a free thinking individual, you have the right to chooseyour quality of life, and how you would like it as you approachthe end. Importantly, the patient also can choosewho will provide their end of life care. NOTE:It is very importantfor people to realize thatin most cases hospice services are fully paid for including sources from Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veteran’s Administration. There is a huge and aging veteran population in the United States. As this population ages and hospice awareness increases, more resources will be necessary to address the growing demand for end of life services. Knowingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a hospicecriterion which is specifically designed to meet the needs of its veterans. In collaboration with the VA, a program called We Honor Veterans was developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. This program focuses on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement of the service our veterans gave. What does hospice provide? Barb Ouellette, RN, and Mary T. Inc. Assistant Director of Home Health Care & Hospice explained the goals of the hospice team: “We provide quality of life and comfortat the end of life. Hospice care includes addressing pain management issues until comfortis achieved. We are committed to providing individualized service that creatively fulfills the needs of the patient. Furthermore, we take the pressure off family and loved ones by relieving them of many of the details associated with terminal illness. We also focus on assisting the client in strengthening relationships with loved ones at the end of life.” Long a well-known human service care provider with multiple facilities throughout the Anoka County area and beyond, Mary T. Hospice has engaged in a concentrated effort to educate the general public and veterans alike about the benefits of hospice. Mary T. believes the quality of life for the patient and family can be improved with an interdisciplinary approach to hospice care, and whenever possible bringing the care to where the patient lives further enhancing the comfort and end of life experience for the patient and their family. Their care team includes the primary care physician, medical director, a registered nurse/case manager, a social worker, and a spiritual care provider. All this combines to ensure that
- 3. whether the patientis in a private home, long term care facility or other alternative residence, timely and compassionate care will be provided. If you would like more information about hospice care, please do not hesitate to call them at (763) 772-9963 or (763) 772-9955. This article was copywritten by Falcon Prince Publishing from information and data supplied by Lauri Cutinella, M.A., LSW, of Mary T. Hospice. Mary T. Hospice is Medicare Certified and has achieved Deemed Status from Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), a standard of excellence. Mary T. Inc. was established in 1976 and is an independent, locally owned company based in Coon Rapids. Mary T. Inc. serves clients throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. In addition to Hospice Care, services include Supportive Living, Home Health, Assisted Living, Rental Housing, and Senior Apartments. Mary T. Inc. is affiliated with Camilia RoseCare Center, which is also located in CoonRapids.