Through the years, I have had
many occasions to work with families of hospice patients who had dementia. For
many relatives, experiencing a loved one’s mental decline is extremely
difficult. Hospice workers can offer greatly needed support to families
adjusting to these changes and in maintaining quality of life for patients.
When the death journey is
over, how do bereaved families rate the hospice services their deceased loved
ones who died from dementia received? Hospice-related dementia research examining the effectives of hospice services was done with 260 of 538
bereaved family member respondents from five states. The following hospice ratings
from bereaved families were reported:
1) Fewer
unmet needs and concerns with quality of care
2)
Higher rating of the quality of care
3)
Better quality of dying
than those without hospice services
This research from the
perspectives of bereaved family members affirms satisfaction with hospice
services for patients with dementia.
My own personal
interactions as a hospice volunteer serving nursing home residents with
dementia were quite inspiring. I can truthfully say that our time together was
mutually beneficial. One thing I know for sure is that I became a better
person. Titled Pieces of Our Minds,
this original video poem conveys my thoughts about what it is like inside the
minds of people with dementia.
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.
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