These are the values that the staff of Hospice of the Valley live by every single day as they support and care for those patients and families in our hospice service.
As the Human Resources Director for Hospice of the Valley, I am not involved in the direct care of our hospice patients. Daily, however, I have the privilege of seeing our caring nurses, aides, personal care workers, chaplains, social workers, therapists, volunteers, and office support staff in action doing their very best for our patients and their families. I am honored to support them all.
We have an outstanding staff, all of whom have served hospice patients for an average tenure of 4 years. We hire staff once they have passed a criminal background check, a background check by Colorado Adult Protective Services, licensure verification, successful skills checks and reference checks. Many of our nurses have attained the Palliative Care Nursing Certification status and some have special wound care certifications. Our Bedside Voices, a volunteer acapella group, brings peace and comfort to both patients and their families by bringing soft, peaceful music to their homes. Many of our staff members and volunteers also use their musical talents to provide opportunities for the patient to not only listen, but to participate in the music by either playing a musical instrument or singing along.
Serving these patients and families is a very uplifting and fulfilling experience. Employees tell beautiful stories of how they were able to do something wonderful with their patients and how they were able to teach families how to cope with their grief and better ways to care for their loved ones. Our staff find many ways to include a personal touch with the care they provide. Last fall, one of our patients voiced his concern to our Chaplain that he really wanted to just have a beer and watch some football, so our Chaplain brought some beer to the patient’s home and spent that afternoon watching football with him. Patients often come onto our service with a bucket list of things they want to do before they pass; we have been able to fulfill many patients’ bucket lists. One patient in particular, wanted to see the ocean before she passed; we used our connections with charitable organizations to get donations so she could fly out to California to walk on the sandy beach.
My personal story is about my beautiful sister who passed away 14 years ago. She was only on hospice service one day before she passed. My sister had always been a vibrant, active person and was only in her fifties when she passed away; I completely understand why she wanted to keep fighting for her life. She spent the last three weeks of her life in a very depressing hospital room, continuing to receive treatment for her lung cancer. She finally agreed to come onto hospice service; she came home that afternoon and passed away at noon the following day.
While she was alive, she continued to receive treatment after treatment for her cancer. I begged and pleaded with both her and her husband to have her go on hospice – at that time I did not know all the benefits that hospice brings to both the patient and the family. I only knew then that she could be in the comfort of her home on her beautiful farm in Nebraska – rather than in the hospital room. I have wished many times that I would have known then what I know now as perhaps she would have been more open to hospice earlier on. Coming onto hospice service sooner in the end-of-life journey can be so comforting!
The benefits of hospice are too numerous to name, but it is important to understand that everyone close to the patient receives education and support from our team. Hospice brings dignity to our patients as they receive medications (in the right dosages) to help them be comfortable – therefore letting them live out their final days with dignity and without pain. Therapists help set up the home with the correct equipment and training so that their caregivers can care for their loved ones with the right tools and support. Aides, personal care workers, and volunteers are there to help the patient with bathing and meals and sometimes, just to stay with the patient while the family members take a precious moment for themselves out of the house. Our massage therapists, our furry friends under our creature comfort program, and our Reiki master all bring additional comfort to our patients. Our chaplains and social workers assist with finding the right resources and bring great emotional comfort to patients and their families. This support can continue for the family for up to thirteen months (if they so desire) after their loved one has passed. Our staff helps our patients attain peace, hope and the ability to trust that they will be comfortable and cared for.
As we say here, the final days of our lives are a journey – the actual event of dying is just a moment in time. Hospice is not the end; it is just another chapter in our lives. Our beautiful staff at Hospice of the Valley are all here to make that chapter comfortable and joyous for patients and their families.
