Supporting Goals and Values
Article by Diane Fasselius, BA, RN, Community Education Specialist
The hospice care model is the finest example of medical care that supports and encourages patient self-determination. Hospice care is about listening first and finding ways to make each day the best it can be for the patient and family. Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement, said it best, “You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
One of the key things addressed when patients enter the Hospice of Dubuque program is their goals. This includes goals for care, but also bucket list goals—the things people might want to accomplish in the time ahead. These bucket-list items vary from person to person. One person might want to visit a place that holds fond memories, such as a farm, home, or place that helps the individual reminisce about days gone by. Other goals might be awaiting the arrival of a new grandchild, attending a wedding or graduation, going fishing, or simply getting out of the house again. Some people want to go to the casino one more time, or even take a motorcycle ride.
At Hospice of Dubuque, helping persons accomplish special goals is as important as managing physical symptoms and providing comfort. The care team will do everything within its power to help make goals happen. Through the years, we have enjoyed helping patients accomplish a variety of wished-for goals, even when these events might have seemed impossible for them to achieve. We want to help our patients and families live life to the fullest and find the best in each day. Early referral and admission to hospice help make achieving goals more realistic and possible.
Book Suggestion: Learning To Fall, The Blessings of an Imperfect Life, by Philip Simmons. The author was just 35 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS. Through poignant essays, Simmons shares his spiritual journey and search for peace. He offers suggestions for connecting deeply and joyously with our own imperfect lives. This is a spirit-renewing book about learning to live richly in the face of loss.