Yogis,
‘To gentle the journey through serious illness and loss with skill and
compassion’
This was the quote that opened and set the tone for a two-day
hospice training I attended this week. Now a graduate of the course, I will
soon begin volunteering once a week for Montgomery & Prince George’s Hospice.
After taking the death doula course several months ago I was
looking for the next step on this journey I have embarked on. Hospice seemed the
perfect fit and this particular one resonated with what I would want in a
hospice when it’s time.
What exactly is hospice? There are a lot of misconceptions.
It isn’t a place. It is a service that comes to you, wherever you are. Covered
by Medicare/Medicaid, one is eligible once the choice is made to no longer
prolong life through treatments and death is expected (as best as one can
predict a path so unique to each person) within six months.
There are many hospices available! This one is one of only about 20% still operating as a nonprofit. Most are now for profit. The most basic requirements for your care team are a hospice nurse, a social worker, a chaplain and volunteers. In fact, by law volunteers must provide a minimum of 5% of patient contact. Then each individual organization may offer other services.
As examples, Montgomery Hospice offers pet therapy, reiki
(which I plan to be a part of), lavender hand massages (yes!), military pinning
ceremonies for former service members and aromatherapy. Their 30 member
threshold choir sends 4 people to sing at the bedside of those close to the
threshold between worlds. They are amazing!
As a volunteer I will visit a patient 2 hours each week to talk, read to them, play music…..or simply sit as a quiet presence. I also hope to educate others on hospice and normalize our discussions on death......The only sure thing.
Won’t this make me sad? At times, yes. But as everyone reiterated, we will receive so much more than we give.
Gentling the journey,
SARAH
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