This episode with Janice really would have been helpful for the larger discussion. It would had added tremendously.
I also think it’s so hard for those of us in palliative care and/or hospice (these are different-hospice utilizes palliative care at end of life but palliative care is for support and symptom management well before end of life.) to really explain the support structures needed and how badly our current healthcare system fails people who are end of life and dying. Janice did a great job but I didn’t feel from listening that there was a real understanding.
Bad deaths occur-more often in the hospital in my experience. I really wish people understood the limitations of resuscitation and the trauma and debility that results IF the person survives. But that’s an entirely different topic.
As a hospice nurse I appreciated this episode, but I was saddened by Sarah’s perspective regarding “starving” and watching someone waste away. It is a natural process of death and dying and feeding someone that is not physically able to swallow is very unsafe and will cause more harm. Also other avenues of nutrition and hydration via IV or tube feed also present a multitude of other issues and risks. It is more comfortable for someone at end of life to be more dehydrated. I am aware that as someone that is not a nurse or a caregiver for those that are facing end of life Sarah will not understand all the complexities surrounding end of life care. I don’t mean to be “judgey” or come down at Sarah for her comments. It just hurt my heart to hear her feel that way. End of life care is complex and not a one size fits all situation. I mean no disrespect nor do I intend to insult anyone’s intelligence. I appreciate all the work that the team at Pantsuit Politics puts into everything they do!
Yes! When my father-in-law was very ill in the hospital with a somewhat mysterious condition, he stopped eating. We pushed for a feeding tube, which he hated. Days later, when he was admitted to hospice, we got a pamphlet that explained that refusal to eat is a natural part of the dying process. I so wish we had known that and recognized that his body was telling us that he was much nearer to death than we were aware of. (He passed away peacefully after only one night at the hospice center and was very relieved to no longer be asked to eat or drink.) Hospice was such a wonderful care provider for him and a support for us, and I wish everyone was more educated about what end-of-life care looks like.
As a dietitian who has worked in hospitals for over 10 years, I feel the exact same way. Very disappointed to hear Sarah describe that situation as the patient starving. The person or their family member made the decision to honor their wishes. I would be offended if my friend described my loved one’s end of life as being starved to death.
Dehydration can actually make the dying process more comfortable.
Thank you for this, I was with both my parents when they passed, each was different. I took care of my mom with the help of hospice. I think mom would have chosen the EOL meds, had it been offered. Dad was in the hospital recovering from a stroke, where he lasted 2 mos of pure suffering. It’s a hard thing to go thru, I don’t know where I strength from.. well thank you God cause I did do a lot of praying ❤️
This episode with Janice really would have been helpful for the larger discussion. It would had added tremendously.
I also think it’s so hard for those of us in palliative care and/or hospice (these are different-hospice utilizes palliative care at end of life but palliative care is for support and symptom management well before end of life.) to really explain the support structures needed and how badly our current healthcare system fails people who are end of life and dying. Janice did a great job but I didn’t feel from listening that there was a real understanding.
Bad deaths occur-more often in the hospital in my experience. I really wish people understood the limitations of resuscitation and the trauma and debility that results IF the person survives. But that’s an entirely different topic.
As a hospice nurse I appreciated this episode, but I was saddened by Sarah’s perspective regarding “starving” and watching someone waste away. It is a natural process of death and dying and feeding someone that is not physically able to swallow is very unsafe and will cause more harm. Also other avenues of nutrition and hydration via IV or tube feed also present a multitude of other issues and risks. It is more comfortable for someone at end of life to be more dehydrated. I am aware that as someone that is not a nurse or a caregiver for those that are facing end of life Sarah will not understand all the complexities surrounding end of life care. I don’t mean to be “judgey” or come down at Sarah for her comments. It just hurt my heart to hear her feel that way. End of life care is complex and not a one size fits all situation. I mean no disrespect nor do I intend to insult anyone’s intelligence. I appreciate all the work that the team at Pantsuit Politics puts into everything they do!
Keep doing God’s work!
Yes! When my father-in-law was very ill in the hospital with a somewhat mysterious condition, he stopped eating. We pushed for a feeding tube, which he hated. Days later, when he was admitted to hospice, we got a pamphlet that explained that refusal to eat is a natural part of the dying process. I so wish we had known that and recognized that his body was telling us that he was much nearer to death than we were aware of. (He passed away peacefully after only one night at the hospice center and was very relieved to no longer be asked to eat or drink.) Hospice was such a wonderful care provider for him and a support for us, and I wish everyone was more educated about what end-of-life care looks like.
As a dietitian who has worked in hospitals for over 10 years, I feel the exact same way. Very disappointed to hear Sarah describe that situation as the patient starving. The person or their family member made the decision to honor their wishes. I would be offended if my friend described my loved one’s end of life as being starved to death.
Dehydration can actually make the dying process more comfortable.
Thank you for this, I was with both my parents when they passed, each was different. I took care of my mom with the help of hospice. I think mom would have chosen the EOL meds, had it been offered. Dad was in the hospital recovering from a stroke, where he lasted 2 mos of pure suffering. It’s a hard thing to go thru, I don’t know where I strength from.. well thank you God cause I did do a lot of praying ❤️
I’m sorry for the loss of your parents and the struggles you faced in their journey! Praying that God continues to give you strength.