Hospice Month - November 2016

Hospice Month - November 2016
From Connie Lawn and Dr. Charles Sneiderman
Hospice is not really about dying, it is about "Making the most of every moment, " living life as pain free as possible, and preparing for the next phase of life, or death". My hospice is Capital Caring, and they are excellent! They are my friends, doctors, nurses, therapists, chaplains, and caregivers. I have gone in and out of their care for about a year and the intensity of the care varies according to my condition. In addition, I am striving to continue my work as a senior White House reporter, so I do not always have the time to take full advantage of their services. But I am growing weaker. It is hard to walk, talk, type, and think. I keep going, thanks to my family and friends who are so kind to me. Debra Bruno wrote a marvelous article for The Washington Post about me, and I received thousands of nice comments about it from around the world.
The Hospice professionals and volunteers come into my home; most of the currently 1200 Capital Caring hospice patients remain at home. If the pain or other symptoms cannot be managed at home , there are at least 50 beds in the Capital region including: the Halquist Center in Arlington, VA, the Adler Center in Aldie, VA, Providence Hospital in Washington, DC, and Capital Caring Center in Greenbelt, MD. The last is the only inpatient hospice facility in Prince Georges County, MD.
I am grateful Capital Caring kept me alive and relieved my pain through many mile stones. They included the wonderful wedding of my older son, the birth of two grandchildren by my younger son, and two fabulous daughters in laws. For better or worse, I have also survived a traumatic election cycle, complete with all its stupid, vicious remarks!
November is national hospice month. Carolyn Richar, a nurse and a chaplain as well as general manager of Capital Caring Hospice Arlington ,shared the following thoughts on this month:
"In November, we lift up hospice and palliative care as a way for a person to experience life as fully as possible even as that life is coming to an end here. I have seen people burden themselves with an impossible search for a cure as if being cured is what will define them as a success in life. That impossible search can devour their energy, their time and their relationships.
In hospice care, we celebrate the times there is a cure but life is not defined by being cured of an illness. Life is being loved and being able to love in return. Life is sharing our wisdom, hopes and dreams with those we love. Hospice and palliative care focus on life and love - we support relationships and give hope that each day has the possibility of being a good one. Now is the time to learn about hospice and palliative care so you and your family can draw on our support when needed!"