02/Dec/2009
Local Hospice Firms
Provide Needed Care
By Sarah Forman
For the past five years Hospice of Baton Rouge
has sponsored an annual holiday fund raising event called Trees of Light.
The event doubles as a very special way to
celebrate individuals, whether family members or dear friends, who made a
difference in your life.
A $25 contribution buys a light in your loved
one’s name.
From left are Hospice of Baton Rouge Board President Vera Oaks, CEO Kathryn
Grigsby, Volunteer Anne Loveland and COO Amy Ziettlow and daughter Bella.
Each light becomes part of a beautiful Hospice
of Baton Rouge Christmas tree that stands in the plaza of the
“We do not turn away patients or limit service
based on their means to pay,” said Kathryn Grigsby, CEO of Hospice of Baton
Rouge for the last 20 years.
“We have
given away millions in non-funded patient care.”
Amenities
At any time toward the end of a loved ones life,
it is appropriate to discuss all options for a patient’s care, including
hospice. Most hospices accept patients who have a life-expectancy of six months
or less and who are referred by their personal physician.
Hospice patients are cared for by a team made up
of physicians, nurses, social workers, a chaplain and therapists. In addition,
hospice provides medications, supplies, equipment and all other services a
patient requires.
Family counseling is offered so the patient and
family are both included in the care plan.
Emotional and practical support is given based on the patient’s wishes
and family needs.
“The situation is often overwhelming to the
families of the patients in hospice care.
We believe it is important to offer help with long term planning,
funeral decisions, and any other life plans,” explained Grigsby.
Trained volunteers can also offer respite care
for family members as well as meaningful support to the patient. Although many
volunteer as medical aids, some donate unconventional, small gestures that
really help the patient and family.
“We have a lady who sends homemade quilts for
our patients to use, and we have other volunteers who send cooked meals to the
patient and their family,” said Grigsby.
At home or
in-patient
Hospice services often take place in the home
setting, whether it is a private residence, assisted living or a long-term
facility such as a nursing home.
The
patient receives professional medical care relief from symptoms while remaining
in a familiar environment. The hospice aide provides bathing, dressing,
personal hygiene, and he/she may also change bed linens and perform light
household
chores.
Meanwhile, the nurse manages the
medical needs such as wound care, medications, equipment needs and supplies.
If the patient resides in the hospice facility, staff
will be provided to make sure the patient
Money
Issues
Hospice care is expensive to provide, therefore
most think it is expensive to pay for the services.
Luckily,
Because of the generous support and monetary donations
received from the community, Hospice of Baton Rouge continues to run smoothly
even though there are free enterprise hospice alternatives.
“We get a lot of nice donations from
In addition to Trees of Light, Hospice of Baton
Rouge does some fundraising throughout the year to help with costs.
Displaying the outcome of the Trees of Light
fundraiser, however, is one of their favorite ways to show their never-ending
commitment to
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