Holistic approach encouraged in hospice care

ALBANY — Hospice is a critical part of the health care process, but there are often negative reactions to the word itself.

Jennifer Stephens, regional executive director of Phoebe Hospice, spoke at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board meeting Wednesday, providing an overview of Phoebe Hospice and the myths associated with hospice care.

Stephens said hospice is meant to focus on comfort rather than a cure while facing a life-limiting illness.

“Living life to the fullest. That becomes our focus,” she said.

That focus is offered even to children facing such illness, which Stephens said Phoebe Hospice is equipped to handle. Almost 20 percent of hospice patients are under 65, she said.

Roughly half of patients have cancer, but heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease and Alzheimer’s are among the other diagnoses, she said.

Patients generally can receive hospice care if they are considered to be within a six-month timeframe. Stephens said end-life care is often thought of as too expensive, when in fact Medicare and Medicaid recipients pay nothing for hospice. She also noted such care is included in most insurance plans.

“(Those in hospice) spend fewer Medicare dollars than those at the end of life who do not,” Stephens said.

The hospice care provided through Phoebe is based at the Willson Hospice House, which includes an indoor chapel as well as an outdoor chapel for memorial services. The decor, designed to be focused on a natural environment, is enhanced by the support from nearby Darton State College’s horticulture program through flower donations for patient rooms.

Community involvement is seen through programs such as Camp Good Grief, an annual camp for youngsters ages 5-18 who recently suffered the loss of a loved one. The camp hosted nearly 80 campers this year as part of the bereavement and grief support services offered by Phoebe Hospice after a patient’s death, Stephens said.

The Snickers Marathon and Half Marathon and Lopez Hospice Golf Classic have been among the events that have donated to Phoebe Hospice. Those donations have allowed for things such as transportation for families, cap and gown arrangements for teenage patients and for Willson Hospice House to host special events for patients, including birthday parties and marriage ceremonies.

“With those funds, we are able to do great things for our patients and their families,” Stephens said.