Hospice: Where angels dwell

[Cyrano]

Early this week, I posted that a friend of mine up north had died in a hospice. Later, the same day, a close relative of mine died in a hospice.

I also stated that I don't know how many states permit or deny hospice care. I can't imagine what goes through the minds of politicians who control the states which deny people hospice care.

Although I am an agnostic, I believe that hospices are places in which angels dwell. I can't conceive of how these wonderful people deal with death many times each day, yet keep their sanity, their humanity, and their endless reserves of loving care.

I hate to include political concepts into this post. But I truly fear that the maniacs called Republicans and/or Tea Partyers will somehow conclude that hospices are somehow "non-Christian," and "a waste of tax payer's money."It seems that whenever the subject of death comes up, these people are always in favor of misery and suffering. Maybe they feel that the poor and middle class must pay for the crime of not being uber rich.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get off the subject. But in some ways, I envy my friend and relative who have just passed. They are no longer targets or victims of wing-nut cruelty and insanity.

[spin]

1. K&R (n/t)

[former9thward]

2. No states deny hospice care.

[Cyrano]

4. I'll take your word for it.

However, in doing a google search on hospices, there seem to quite a few places, and a handful of maniacs, trying to de-fund hospices. And more often than not these days, the crazies get their way.

When you think of it, what kind of human being would try to deny anyone dignity and comfort at the end of life? Those trying to de-fund hospice care must be among the worst human beings in the world.

[William769]

3. I have dealt with Hospice with the death of my Father & my Life Partner.

Calling them Angels is putting it lightly.

Not only were they there to help in life, but also with the grief after the death.

[Cyrano]

5. Yes. They offer free pschological counselling for up to a year for those who need it.

If only we lived in a world in which hospice loving and caring for people was the norm from cradle to grave.

But then, I suppose that makes me some kind of "socialist, left-wing, hippie, elite, north-eastern establishment, bleeding-heart, commie, pinko, Christian-hating pervert." At least that's the way I'd be described by the mindless, know-nothings amongst us.

[Bandit]

6. They offer other things as well

My wife fell last June and broke both her feet. She had to have surgery and was not able to put any weight at all on either foot for three months. Renting things like bedside camodes, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. is quite expensive.. Hospice provided all of those things at no cost for the entire three month period...They truly are God sent......

[LiberalFighter]

7. Didn't know counseling was provided.

But it is probably limited base on circumstances. Both my parents passed away early this year and my dog passed away almost 2 months ago. I just had a dream before I woke up this morning about going back to my parent's home to pick up some stuff and bring it back to my place. Then realized that I couldn't do that. The memories can be difficult.

[gkhouston]

8. Yes, they can and you never know when they're going to hit you.

I once attended a funeral for a friend I was very fond of. As often happens at such events, the mourners sang his praises without alluding to his notable flaws. I felt as if I'd shown up at the wrong funeral by mistake. Over a year later I dreamt of him engaging in some characteristic bad behavior, and a fresh wave of grief, more intense than my initial pain, swept over me. That was the person I missed, not the plaster saint they put in the casket.