LETTERS: THE LESSONS OF HOSPICE

To the editor:

I would like to thank the Southeast Missourian and Mark Bliss for educating readers about our program at Southeast Hospice. After reviewing the article, I felt it necessary to include some additional information and comments about hospice.

First of all, the patients admitted to our hospice have all been diagnosed with a terminal illness, yet many of them have days, weeks and months of active, productive living. Some patients continue to live independently, drive, travel and manage their own affairs. Most importantly, patients are able to spend quality time with loved ones in their own homes or in nursing homes and are in control of the care they receive. As the patient and/or family needs increase, the services a hospice program offers also increases.

Secondly, hospice attends holistically to the patient and family, understanding each team member is important to the comfort and well-being of those we serve. Our team consists of nurses, nurse aides, doctors, ministers, volunteers and social workers. Patients' and families' emotional, physical and spiritual needs are addressed by members of the hospice team, and the focus is not on dying as much as it is in adding quality to the patient's remaining days.

This quality may include relief of physical or emotional pain through a variety of pain-relieving measures along with a warm bath, a listening ear or a hand to hold.

In closing, I would like to share how very spiritually rewarding and uplifting I find hospice work. In their dying and letting go, our patients teach each of us and their families so much about life and death. As patients and families share their stories, their laughter and their tears, the lives of those of us who are called to serve in hospice continue to be forever changed and enriched.

JULIE METZGER, MSW, LCSW

Southeast Hospice

Cape Girardeau