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Although, since I was a child, I have known the serenity and balance that peace can bring to our world, there have been many times in my life that peace seemed to elude me.  I have experienced days of unsettling sorrow, days of questioning why, days of heartbreak and tears, days of unresolved hurt and anger. Unfortunately, I know many others have experienced these times as well.  However, once I resolve to seek the truth in a situation, look at my blessings, and quiet myself in the fact that I serve the One that has all the answers, my peace returns.

Perhaps this is one of the primary reasons I am a hospice advocate.  Daily in hospice, we meet sick people who are hurting. Most often, they have been on a roller coaster of emotions with doctor visits, hospital stays, changes in medicine, etc.  Though they remain hopeful, many times, their situations are not changing for the better but becoming more complicated and heart-wrenching as treatment options or medication changes haven’t seemed to help as hoped for and expected. I have seen this firsthand in my own family, and it’s why I believe so strongly in the benefits of hospice care.

When hospice enters a home, it lifts a heavy burden. It’s a beacon of hope amid heartbreak. The situation remains heartbreaking, as family and friends grieve for their loved ones, but now they have trained professionals to support them in this journey. This relief is a testament to the compassionate care of Hospice and the strength of the support network surrounding the patient.

Hospice meets you where you are. They will explain the medication, speak with your doctor about any changes, discuss the care plans, and offer you medical equipment and supplies.  Usually, in just a very short while, symptoms are under control. With symptoms under control in the comfort of home, people often feel better and speak more freely, so to speak, than they have been able to in weeks or months. Hospice understands you’re the desperation and pain of your situation. They offer medical care, hands, hearts, and generosity of compassion and knowledge. This understanding and support can make you feel secure and less alone under challenging times. 

Hospice may not be able to change the outcome, as that is in God’s hands, but it can certainly change the journey. It provides comfort, support, and relief from pain, focusing on the quality of life rather than the length. This emphasis on the journey, not just the destination, can instill a sense of comfort and optimism in caregivers, reassuring them that their loved ones will be cared for with dignity and respect.

Friends, I urge you not to fear the word Hospice. It’s not about surrender, but about finding peace and comfort in the journey. There’s peace in knowing you’re not alone, and that a team of compassionate professionals is ready to support you every step of the way.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  Matthew 25:40    King James Bible “Authorized Version”, Cambridge Edition

— Vickie C. Wacaster is a Patient and Hospice Advocate for Aveanna Hospice.