Hospice - Some Benefits of Hospice

Be careful when choosing a hospice program Reply to this Comment

First of all, let me begin by saying that I wholeheartedly support the philosophy of hospice and allowing the patients to be in control of their lives and care. That said, I want to stress how important it is to evaluate hospice programs carefully before deciding which one to hire. This means talking not only with the nurses, aides, doctors, chaplains, and social workers but also with the Volunteer Coordinator. I say this because I've had personal experience with what can happen when a Volunteer Coordinator's personal feelings interfere with her (or his) commitment to the hospice philosophy. Specifically, Michelle Barnhart (Volunteer Coordinator at Odyssey HealthCare) said several times --- to me and to others --- that she feels "called to work in hospice" but doesn't want even to meet the patients, let alone get to know them, because she can't handle the repeated experience of getting close to people and then losing them within a few months. To begin with, I wonder how she can honestly "feel called to work in hospice" when she wants to maintain such distance from the patients. But beyond that and even more importantly, she tries to transfer her own emotional insecurities onto the volunteers and tries to prevent them from developing deep bonds with patients who are starving for personal attention and compassionate, platonic physical contact. When that doesn't work, Ms. Barnhart creates new visitation rules that violate not only the hospice philosophy and the Dying Person's Bill of Rights but also the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act. When a volunteer refuses to go along with these unethical and illegal rules, she illegally prevents them from continuing to visit the patients as a friend, even when patients make it clear that they want to continue visiting with that former volunteer. It's bad enough that anyone working in hospice has such fear of emotional commitment. But when she turns her own personal fear into company policy, she has no right to work in hospice and should be fired. So, before hiring a hospice company either for yourself or a loved one, do as much research as you can, and find out what other people have to say about their experiences with any company you're considering hiring. Also, if problems surface after you've already hired the company, don't be afraid to stand up for your and your loved one's rights and insist that the company perform its services legally and ethically. If necessary, contact the Ombudsman and/or a lawyer. Hospice can provide wonderful, comforting, and life-enhancing services during people's final months if its philosophy is respected and followed.

By: Posted: Oct 12 2006 03:28:55 PM

hospice volunteering Reply to this Comment

As a hospice volunteer coordinator for 11 years, currently on maternity leave, I am somewhat concerned about your feelings. I am surprised first of all, when you mentioned Odyssey, because of there stellar reputation in the community and nationwide. My experience when networking with other Volunteer Coordinators and Bereavment coordinators in the industry, is that Odyssey employees go above and beyond others with experience and education. A few points that I have learned and teach potential volunteers and active volunteers- first, you might be a staff or volunteer in hospice, but not everyone has the same "calling" -you might be a nurse with personal contact, a bereavment coordinator dealing with families, or a volunteer coordinator responsible for coordinating behind the scenes, but one thing is consistant, you do need to have a calling, and even volunteers/staff that don't want or feel comfortable with patient contact, are still special, and important as those with contact. Another point, hospice agencies are very specific about what a volunteer should and shouldn't be responsible for, and while every hospice company can set their own guidelines, another thing is for sure, it is driven by a team and doctors, so chances are, if there is something the team feels is inapropriate, such as physical contact, or visitation rules, it is probably something in writing, and definitely something the patient's family, team and doctor thinks is best for the patient. Especially when the patient is unable to communicate clearly, it is then that the team, who are the experts in hospice, make the decisions with the family, for what is best for the patient. I wish you luck if you should continue to pursue volunteering with hospice, but I assure you, you will run into the same instances of rules/and suggestions for relationships with patients. You should try to give it another shot, and if you have contacted a lawyer or Omsbudsman, and the problem has not been addressed, it may be because the company had taken care of the patient to the best of their ability, and with the patient's best interest in mind. Don't let this expeience prevent you from helping others in need, and good luck to you.

By: Posted: Jan 16 2007 07:55:05 PM

hospice volunteering Reply to this Comment

I agree with the volunteer coordinator. I used to volunteer at a hospice program in Kentucky. It was harder then I thought, and following the suggestions of my vc, didn't make sense at first. Volunteers were supposed to go 2-3 times a month to visit patients, well since I had more time, i went more, and it led to my patient and I becoming too dependent on eachother. I was reminded and re-educated, and finally, after a long look at myself it was for my and the patient's own good. I was there when he passed away, which meant the world to me. However, intially I found myself angry that I wasn't supposed to see him more, and even though I thought he liked all the visits, who knows if he really did all the time. Anyway, I learned a lot, mostly that hospice volunteer work is special, all the volunteers were. Volunteer coordinators in hospice are highly trained people, who have the patient as the top priority, and try to help volunteers help the patient, without becoming too attached, I appreciated my experience.

By: Posted: Jan 31 2007 07:35:36 PM

hospice Reply to this Comment

You can never dis-agree with the guidance that is afforded a volunteer. Who do you think you are representing? Hospice is the best choice for end of life, and you had probably received the best advice and the best information that the company wanted you to know. Stay out of volunteering freak!

By: Posted: Sep 13 2007 09:43:21 PM

hospice Reply to this Comment

By: Posted: Sep 13 2007 09:43:27 PM

Be careful when choosing a hospice Reply to this Comment

All of you are obviously in the same category as Michelle Barnhart and Odyssey if you are more "concerned" about my feelings than you are about the fact that Ms. Barnhart and Odyssey broke federal laws and violated the philosophy of hospice (allowing the patient to be in control of the end of her life).

By: Posted: May 29 2008 11:04:28 AM

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