November is National Hospice Month
Hector Manzano, 75, had smoked for years and had been in an industry where he had been exposed to certain chemicals that resulted in emphysema. He eventually developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
“Just a year ago, my dad was managing the symptoms of progressive COPD with the help of his physician. He was active with our family and enjoyed the outdoors,” said Marlene Almanza.
Last October, Manzano was admitted to the hospital and then his visits to the emergency room began to increase. Over the course of four months, Manzano’s health deteriorated rapidly. “In January he could not walk from the front of the house to the back of the house and needed oxygen.”
Almanza is a provider relations manager for Haven Hospice. She knows the benefits of early hospice enrollment because she talks to community groups and medical providers every day in North Florida, where she lives and works. When her father became ill, she recommended hospice enrollment for him; however, her family was reluctant to have that needed conversation, just like so many other families across the nation.
“My father didn’t understand the progression of his illness and why he couldn’t kick these colds which led to frequent admissions to hospitals and stays in the intensive care unit,” said Almanza.
Patients and their families often tell our Haven staff that they wish they had known about hospice sooner and that they wish they had enrolled in hospice care earlier. But too often, the discussion about what to do when curative therapies and treatments are no longer feasible is often delayed. Timely access to the right care plan is important to maximize the quality of life, not to hasten deterioration.
Understanding when curative therapies and treatments are no longer a feasible option can provide the patient and family with an opportunity to ask questions regarding other available and important options such as hospice care. Hospice professionals work with patients and families to create a plan of care that will manage the distressing pain and symptoms of their illness, as well as coordinate the patient’s care and medications with their physician and other healthcare providers.
Hospice services can be delivered in the home, in a skilled nursing facility, or in a hospice care center. Hospice services and programs are all-encompassing and provide assistance with the physical, medical, emotional, and spiritual challenges associated with advanced illnesses.
Members of the Haven Hospice care team can be most helpful when they have time to build a trusting relationship with patients and their loved ones before the situation becomes critical. At Haven, we believe that hospice is about living.
Hector is now enrolled in hospice and currently receives hospice care in his home. He was taken off the medications that he did not need and his symptoms and pain are being managed. He is now alert and able to spend more quality time with his family. Because he is on hospice care, he does not have to leave the house for doctor appointments. Hospice physicians visit him – at home. Hector has not been to the emergency room or the intensive care unit since he has been enrolled in hospice services.
“This is my story, but it is every family’s story,” said Almanza. “I love working at Haven Hospice because every day it allows me to speak about what hospice services can do for patients and their families. I wanted to share my story because I know it will touch others and make a difference, so it is well worth it.”
According to an October 2013 article by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization:
“Every year more than 1.58 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice palliative care providers in the United States.”
During National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November, we encourage you to learn how more timely hospice enrollment can benefit you and your family. Visit HavenHospice.org or call 352.378.2121 in the Gainesville area.