None of us want to think of our parents dying.  Even if they are terminally ill, we tend to cling to that hope beyond hope, that they will recover and everything can go back to the way it was.  Because of this, so many families, so many individuals suffer needless pain as death approaches.  But how do you make that call?  How do accept the fact that by calling hospice you admit the unthinkable?

Talk to your mom – If your mother still has her cognitive abilities, it would be wise to spend some time talking to her.  What does she think about her prognosis?  How is she feeling?  Has she come to terms with the future?  So often we fear admitting to something that our loved one has already accepted.  If we only talk to them, we might find that same acceptance.

Realize hospice provides a special level of care – Most terminal patients are in a great deal of pain and require a great deal of care.  Hospice can do much to relieve the burden of the patient and the family.  Hospice care provides an extra level of comfort and support.  Hospice care has the ability to ease much of the pain of dying and relieve the family of much of the stress, so they can focus on spending these last few precious days, weeks, or months enjoying their loved one. [Read more…]