My family lost both of my parents within the last two years. We were fortunate in both instances to be with both Dad and Mom at their end and celebrated the physical and mental health they each carried into their early 90s. In each passing, we were comforted not only by happy memories of the lives they shared with us, but also by the support of the exceptional hospice care they received.
Hospice support is somewhat misunderstood in our society. When folks hear “hospice,” often the connotation is that of giving up or of taking a path that speeds death. In combination with a general unwillingness to discuss death and dying in our society, hospice care remains somewhat shrouded in mystery.
The reality is that death is an inevitable conclusion to each life. Hospice is a way in which those approaching this stage, along with their loved ones, can be supported in their final months, weeks, days and hours. Hospice means ending invasive curative approaches and focusing instead on an individual’s comfort and enabling a peaceful transition.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s recent decision to enter hospice provides an opportunity for greater national awareness of this approach. Hopefully, his decision will prompt others to better understand what hospice means and to have discussions well in advance of the time hospice care is appropriate. Unfortunately, some families approach the end of a loved one’s life and need a crash course in the definition of hospice, how to enter hospice and what to expect.
My appreciation of hospice care came through personal and family experience. My mother-in-law, Bell-Jo Rodgers, was one of the founders of Hospice Support Care of Williamsburg, now Hospice House of Williamsburg (williamsburghospice.org). My wife, Beth, and I have both served on the board of directors. We have also seen the team in loving action when my father-in-law, Art Rodgers, spent his final hours at the Hospice House.
The Williamsburg hospice effort started over 40 years ago with a small community meeting of like-minded individuals. Beginning with home-centered, volunteer-led hospice and bereavement services, the local approach has continuously evolved to the present-day model in which trained professionals staff a physical Hospice House designed and built in a park-like setting expressly for this purpose.
The mission of the organization is providing “care, comfort and compassion through and beyond the end of life.” The dedication, expertise and unwavering compassion of these caregivers, like those who supported my parents, is the “secret sauce” that makes the hospice approach so effective.
We are blessed to have a resource like the Hospice House of Williamsburg in our community. It is one of fewer than 50 social model hospices in this country. This means that there is no fee or insurance requirement for any individual or family utilizing the facilities. It also means around-the-clock care and a structured, comforted approach to end of life.
Whether you or a loved one is at or approaching the stage when hospice care may be an appropriate alternative, I hope this commentary gives you an appreciation for the both the meaning of hospice care and the unique treasure we have locally in Hospice House of Williamsburg.
You can contact the Hospice House at 757-253-1220 for additional information, for a tour of the house or to make a donation.
Scott Stabler
Immediate past president, Hospice House of Williamsburg Board of Directors
