Hospice: Part of the Continuum of Health Care

In the final stages of colon and liver cancer, Ronald Oldfield, like more and more people facing terminal illness, chose to live his last days at home surrounded by family and friends. On that Saturday in late August, it was clear his condition was declining.

“Your wife says that you seem to have pain when urinating,” Lawler said. “Is that true?”

Mr. Oldfield thought for a moment, then nodded.

“We can insert a catheter into your bladder so that you won’t have to urinate and feel that pain anymore,” Lawler said. “Do you want me to do that?”

Mr. Oldfield looked pensive, worried.

“You think about it for awhile,” Lawler said. “You don’t have to answer me now.”

“Hospice provides patients and families with a sense of respect and control over the patient’s condition and that is so important,” said Doreen Denault, RN, Marketing & Communications, of Home Care, Hospice & Infusion Services.

The Oldfields received skilled nursing care and the services of a home health aide every day. They also utilized the services of a social worker and a bereavement counselor.

Support, however, is not limited to the time when health care staff is at the Oldfield’s home.

“Hospice is always just a phone call away,” Mrs. Oldfield said. “When I have questions, they are always there to answer them in a way that I understand.”

“That is what hospice is all about,” said Robin Smith, RN, Manager, Hospice Outreach and Palliative Care for the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Massachusetts, a part of Southcoast Health System.

“Our mission is to provide comprehensive end-of-life care for both the patient and their family,” she said. “We offer a wide range of services to provide for whatever needs the patient and family might have.”

Those services not only afford comfort, but alleviate the fears of many faced with terminal illness.

“The two greatest fears people have are dying in pain and dying alone,” Smith said. “The support we provide assures people that they will not have to confront either of those fears. Our nurses are very skilled in pain control, and our large, inter-disciplinary team assures that no patient needs to spend their last hours alone.”

In November 2000, Ronald Oldfield was diagnosed with stage-four colon and liver cancer — the most advanced stage of cancer — and was placed on a course of chemotherapy and radiation.

Once it became apparent that the drugs were not effective, Herbert Hansen, MD, a Southcoast hematologist/oncologist practicing at all three Southcoast hospitals and The Oncology Center, suggested hospice as an appropriate option for Mr. Oldfield.

“At a certain point, it becomes difficult for patients to come to the office for care,” Dr. Hansen said. “And many of those patients would rather remain at home. Hospice does a superb job of enabling those patients to remain home and live out their last days in comfort and dignity.”

At the time of this interview, Lawler was about to go on vacation and knew she might not see Mr. Oldfield again.

Lawler completed her duties.

“Ron, have you thought about the catheter?” she asked. Mr. Oldfield again looked worried.

“We don’t have to do this today,” Lawler said. “I’m coming back tomorrow and we can talk about it again.”

The worry slips from Mr. Oldfield’s face. He relaxes and closes his eyes.

Services Offered by Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Infusion Services and VNASM Can Include:

• Complementary therapies.
• Continuous care in periods of crisis.
• Counseling.
• Drugs and medical supplies.
• Home care aides.
• Nursing.
• Physical and speech therapy.
• Physician services.
• Respite by volunteers.
• Social services.
• Spiritual support.
• Short-term inpatient care.

These services are available to patients in their own homes or in nursing homes.

For more information on hospice services provided by Southcoast, contact Southcoast Home Care Hospice & Infusion Services at 1-800-587-0541 or the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Massachusetts at 1-800-698-6877.

Order the free booklet Choosing Hospice: A Guide to Hospice in Massachusetts for Patients, Family Members and Friends by using the coupon on the Free Information page.