NORWICH – The forecast is calling for yet another beautiful day of sunshine Wednesday, and organizers of the Chenango County Hospice annual flower sale – slated for tomorrow – couldn’t ask for a better day.
Most stories would have a clever segue into a back story about the organization, but the topic of Hospice, palliative care and death in general is a sensitive one worthy of careful navigating.
Chenango County Hospice operates out of small office on Hayes Street in Norwich, performing tasks for – and giving comfort to – those who are facing death, something many choose not to think about until those service are needed.
The goal of the Hospice organization is to bring an overall sense of comfort to patients while they navigate their journey out of life and into death. Often, Hospice caregivers assist families, not just patients, and find the closure necessary for surviving loved ones to move on.
Bob Oehme's father passed away about a year ago after he and his family were confronted with the fact that there was nothing more physicians could do, aside for some experimental procedures. The family had already been though a courageous battle that included radiation therapy, and the elder Oehme made it clear that he wanted to live out his remaining time in comfort.
“He wanted some quality of life before he died, and nothing to do with any sort of lengthy stay in a hospital,” said Oehme of his late father.
While visiting with an oncologist at the V.A. Clinic, it was suggested to the elder Oehme that he seek Hospice service. “They were at the house within the week assessing dad's needs and talking with my mother see what they could do for her as well, and they always included my wife and myself as we are a very tight-knit family.” said Oehme. “His first nurse visit was with Cassandra, and she was wonderful and very caring.
One thing that stood out to Oehme and family was the marked difference in the type of
nursing care that his father received. Oehme said that Hospice nurses and aides were significantly more compassionate, and it never seemed like they had to rush to the next patient. “She talked to dad. She wanted to get to know him and who he was, which meant a lot to him. She was able to gain his trust and his friendship, which enabled him to receive the best care possible,” said Oehme.
While a year has past since Mr. Oehme's passing, his son, wife and the rest of his family are still thankful for the service provided to their family in their time of need.
The Hospice organization routinely leaves an indelible mark on the lives of entire families; so much so that family members of past patients often volunteer their time as a show of goodwill and gratitude.
Sally Supensky “paid it forward” as a volunteer before her late husband received Hospice care. “I was a volunteer here and call on patients both in their home and in the hospital setting,” said Supensky.
Supensky is a nurse practitioner by trade, so putting her talents to use in the form of volunteerism though Hospice just made sense for her.
While Supensky had worked in the healthcare field for decades, her husband was reluctant to define himself as someone who could benefit from Hospice services when a poor prognosis was handed down from his physician. “My husband was very resistant because of this conception that 'Hospice means you're dying,'” said Supensky. “It was very hard for him to overcome that.”
At some point Supensky's physician discovered that he was suffering from a very advanced form of pulmonary fibrosis, and many discussions led to Mr. Supensky reluctantly accepting Hospice care. “I think he initially did it to make me happy,” said Supensky.
Another factor in the decision was the financial aspect of the situation. “He was on these horrendous inhalers that were highly expensive—some were $200 or more—and our private insurance would only cover about 25 percent of the cost. Once Hospice was involved, that stopped immediately. We filled prescriptions at Price Chopper and the didn't cost us a cent,” said Supensky. “The day he died, we didn't owe thousands in medical bills thanks to Hospice,” she added.
Supensky added that the absence of medical bills after her husband's passing was a blessing. “No one wants to have to deal with that the day after their loved on dies, they have enough on their plate already. Because of Hospice my family didn't have to worry about it.”
Even with her years of medical expertise, Supensky would call on a Hospice nurse to assist her husband in the middle of the night. “The was an issue what he was having a difficult time breathing and couldn't get enough oxygen. In the hospital setting, would know exactly what to do, but it's different when it's your loved one in your home in the middle of the night and you're unfamiliar with the equipment. Supensky made a call to her husbands Hospice nurse Diane, and she was there within the hour. “I figured that she would just tell me what to do over the phone, but she drove all the way from Greene and made a simple adjustment, and was pleasant. I was shocked and so thankful,” said Supensky.
Supensky and Oehme's stories are a just a brief representation of how Hospice care can bring peace to families and patients.
To be eligible, patients must be experiencing a terminal illness with a projected life expectancy of less than six months. It is suggested that patients and their families ask their physician about end-of-life care though through Hospice as soon as a terminal illness is suspected.
Chenango Hospice is a nonprofit organization with a volunteer base that raises funds to assist with continued service to the community.
Their annual cash-and-carry flower sale takes place in East Park in downtown Norwich Wednesday beginning from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit hospicechenango.org.