Growing Pains for the Medicare Hospice Benefit (New Eng Jour Med)

[SharonAnn]

3. They were wonderful and we could keep my husband at home. I volunteer with

them now and do things like visit for social interaction. Read out loud, play music, play cards or other games, or just talk. Even provide respite care (like babysitting) so the family can get out for a while. Patients especially talk about "the old days". They like to talk about their early years, things they did as kids, their parents, siblings, and other family members. I have tremendous affection for them and am richer for knowing them.

Also, I am impressed with the number of people who make every effort to keep their family members at home as long as they can be comfortable there. It gives the patients such peace and they really need little care when they have this terrific family support. The nurse comes by periodically, frequency depends on the patient's needs. Other support people come in and help.

All in all, it's a real blessing for most people during their last days.