It occurred to me that I’ve never shared one of my hospice volunteer poems with you. A mute patient, whose legs were amputated due to severe diabetes, inspired me to write this poem. Although he endured several close calls with death, he repeatedly overcame them until he eventually died. Observers couldn’t understand why he didn't give up sooner. Because he had no legs and was such a determined survivor, I viewed him as an Olympic marathon runner.
World Champion
Your bedridden body
wins survival marathons,
breaks records in life's
Olympic Games.
I touch your skeletal chest,
feel spirit of an aging heart
that outruns the Grim Reaper
in back-to-back wins.
Some pity your amputated legs,
anguished moans, unexpected
comebacks when death
competes with bare existence.
No one claps or cheers
for your personal-best pace
toward the final race
when you clear each hurdle.
They don't understand
why you won't give up
when you defend each challenge
to clock more blocks of time.
Your laps for life press onward
as you struggle to the finish,
grin like a World Champion
each time you grab the gold.
© Frances Shani Parker
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hospice and Nursing Home Writing: Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes (Loving Healing Press, Sept. 2007)
For those who enjoy writing, hospice work can be a great source of inspiration. I have always been fascinated by the written word and the impact it has on readers. As I became more involved with hospice volunteering in Detroit nursing homes, I found myself writing poetry and prose about my experiences.
During poetry readings at various venues, I noticed that people approached me often to discuss a loved one who had been terminally ill. They seemed relieved to talk to someone who was open to discussing illness and death. Most people avoid talking about these topics. With our aging, diverse population, there is an urgency for more conversations on end-of-life care.
“Write what you know” is a common saying, and that’s what I did. Becoming Dead Right includes true stories, poems, “how to” advice, general information, and insights resulting from my hospice volunteer experiences. While universal concerns are covered, the often-ignored perspectives of people of color are included in this tour guide for navigating death journeys.
Stringing thoughts together into written words can be challenging, pleasurable, and therapeutic. From places inside, words rise that affirm oneness with others, make sense of nonsense, and, hopefully, sweeten the world.
You can read a review of the book here.
You can listen to a podcast radio interview with me at www.AuthorsAudio.com.
During poetry readings at various venues, I noticed that people approached me often to discuss a loved one who had been terminally ill. They seemed relieved to talk to someone who was open to discussing illness and death. Most people avoid talking about these topics. With our aging, diverse population, there is an urgency for more conversations on end-of-life care.
“Write what you know” is a common saying, and that’s what I did. Becoming Dead Right includes true stories, poems, “how to” advice, general information, and insights resulting from my hospice volunteer experiences. While universal concerns are covered, the often-ignored perspectives of people of color are included in this tour guide for navigating death journeys.
Stringing thoughts together into written words can be challenging, pleasurable, and therapeutic. From places inside, words rise that affirm oneness with others, make sense of nonsense, and, hopefully, sweeten the world.
You can read a review of the book here.
You can listen to a podcast radio interview with me at www.AuthorsAudio.com.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback at many booksellers and in e-book form at Amazon and Barnes and Noble booksellers.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Hospice-Palliative Care and Music Therapy (Audio)
Think of all the ways music positively impacts your life. Perhaps it spurs you on during an aerobics class, makes you smile when it whisks you to another world, heals your spirit after emotional or physical turmoil. Because music can have many favorable effects, I incorporate it during my hospice volunteering.
For those patients who can communicate their preferences, I provide music for them. Sometimes we listen to the radio and comment on the artists or the lyrics. Other times, we listen to CD’s. When patients are not able to communicate verbally with me, I refer to their information forms for clues as to what they might like. For example, I might play an old-time gospel song for a patient whose religion is listed as Baptist. Patients’ nonverbal responses often express their feelings.
On a more structured and prescriptive level, music thanatology is the movement providing consolation to patients in the final stages of dying. This form of music therapy has become a part of many hospice programs. The bedside services, which are performed by music-thanatologist practitioners, provide serenity and enjoyment for patients. Harp and voice music are often used. During these vigils, patients hear music tailored to their specific needs. You can read more about this form of therapy and listen to examples of harp music being used to provide interior and exterior comfort for terminally ill patients at the NPR news Web site.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
For those patients who can communicate their preferences, I provide music for them. Sometimes we listen to the radio and comment on the artists or the lyrics. Other times, we listen to CD’s. When patients are not able to communicate verbally with me, I refer to their information forms for clues as to what they might like. For example, I might play an old-time gospel song for a patient whose religion is listed as Baptist. Patients’ nonverbal responses often express their feelings.
On a more structured and prescriptive level, music thanatology is the movement providing consolation to patients in the final stages of dying. This form of music therapy has become a part of many hospice programs. The bedside services, which are performed by music-thanatologist practitioners, provide serenity and enjoyment for patients. Harp and voice music are often used. During these vigils, patients hear music tailored to their specific needs. You can read more about this form of therapy and listen to examples of harp music being used to provide interior and exterior comfort for terminally ill patients at the NPR news Web site.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Nursing Home Humor (Video 2:23 mins.)
So many negative stories circulate about nursing homes, sometimes we need to be reminded of the good times that happen there. From giggles to hysterical howls, the healing effects of laughter contribute positively to everyone’s health.
What makes people laugh in the nursing home world? Animals, children, and humorous situations involving people they know, both real and imaginary, can be hilarious. They laugh about the same things that tickle everybody’s funny bones. A suspense thriller, this video about a pug and a peacock shows why animals are so entertaining.
What makes people laugh in the nursing home world? Animals, children, and humorous situations involving people they know, both real and imaginary, can be hilarious. They laugh about the same things that tickle everybody’s funny bones. A suspense thriller, this video about a pug and a peacock shows why animals are so entertaining.
Frances Shani Parker,
Author
Becoming Dead Right: A
Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes
is available in paperback at many booksellers in America and other countries and
in e-book form at
Amazon and Barnes and Noble booksellers.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Caregiver Resources
Whenever I’m approached by local, frustrated seniors who need help and don’t know where to go, I recommend the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. The phone number there is (313) 446-4444. Caregivers can find a wide variety of support services available to them through this agency. Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are located in just about every state. They can be found by calling the National Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 or going online at www.eldercare.gov.
Some of the services they provide are legal assistance, respite care, home health aide care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, and help with chores and repairs. Many of the services do not have an income requirement, so it’s best to check to see what’s available. Two helpful Internet resources for caregivers are AARP, which has extensive information, and the National Alliance for Caregiving, a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
Some of the services they provide are legal assistance, respite care, home health aide care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, and help with chores and repairs. Many of the services do not have an income requirement, so it’s best to check to see what’s available. Two helpful Internet resources for caregivers are AARP, which has extensive information, and the National Alliance for Caregiving, a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
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