Hospice Care and Grandma

Posted by annie on February 6, 2008 0 comments

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Hello all -

On January 31st my grandmother, Olive Jean, passed away.  She was a wonderful inspiration to my family and will be greatly missed.  Unfortunately, she had been on a decline for about 8 years.  I am dedicating this blog to Pearl, the hospice nurse, who was her primary care taker throughout her final years.  (Gram loved pigs- which is why I chose them as the animal for this blog)

My grandmother was lucky to pass away at home in her own bed, just as she wanted.  We had the viewing yesterday and her nurse, Pearl, was there.  Pearl absolutely LOVED my grandmother as she had become quite attached over 8 years.  She did a wonderful job with all the care-taking. 

I have a different respect for nurses who take on this field.  They have to be the OT, PT, and doctor at all times to the people they care for. 

I was thinking about when I did my affiliation in the hospital and I would go into the rooms with my CI and we would have to assist the patients in bed rolling to help prevent bed sores.  I saw many patients with unfortunate, poor, quality of life.  It is devastating to think of looking at your loved one in this condition. 

I didn’t actually know how devastating it could be, however, until it fell upon my grandmother.  It was difficult to look at her in her final days.  I prayed she was comfortable and peaceful.

My mother put together a beautiful slide show of her mom which we were able to enjoy at the viewing.  To see the pictures of my grandmother from the time she was a little girl up till her final days was amazing.  As a grand-daughter, I never thought of my grandmother as a young woman.  But to watch her life through the slide show was amazing and I felt lucky that she had the love and help surrounding her once vibrant, young, energetic spirit.  I am confident she is in a much better place…

Thank you to all the hospice nurses, ESPECIALLY PEARL, who work so hard to keep the best quality of life they can for these suffering patients. 

Good luck to all of those who are debating entering this field.  It truly takes a strong person.

Annie