Optimal Hospice: It's About Living

In the past, when we thought about hospice care we tend to conjure up only images of death because the bottom line is that someone we love or care a great deal about is dying. And while we can't change the bottom line, we can change the way we view hospice care.

"Hospice care is about living to the highest quality possible during the time a person has left," shared Cherie Shoemake (who has been with Optimal Hospice Foundation for five years and has been Foundation Director for 15 months) and Lyda Norris, RN (who has been Case Manager for Optimal Hospice Care for 15 months). "Hospice care absolutely does not mean giving up hope. Sometimes a patient gets better and goes home for a while because of the dedicated care they received in hospice," added Lyda.

There are many myths about what hospice means.

Myth: Hospice means giving up hope.

Fact: Hospice does not mean "giving up hope," but can help people revise what they may hope for. Hospice focuses on maximizing the quality of life based on an individual's choices, so that the person may live life as fully as possible for as long as possible.

Myth: Hospice is a place.

Fact: Hospice care usually takes place in the home, but can be provided in any environment in which you live, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and residential care facilities.

Myth: Hospice means that the patient will soon die. Fact: Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope or that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize the medical condition and address other needs. Some individuals actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care. They then can be re-admitted later, when it is necessary.

Myth: Hospice is only for elderly individuals.

Fact: Hospice care is for individuals of all ages facing a life-limiting illness.

Myth: Individuals can only receive hospice care for six months; therefore enrollment should be delayed as long as possible.

Fact: Medicare, MediCal, Medicaid and most private insurance pays for hospice care as long as the individual meets the medical criteria, which may result in receiving hospice care longer than six months.

"Here in Tehachapi we have six to eight volunteers who assist with visitations, errands for the family etc," explained Cherie, "In addition, patients are visited one to three times a week by our nursing staff to check vitals and make sure prescriptions are being dispensed appropriately."

"Our professional staff and volunteers not only provide health-related care, but also offer spiritual, emotional and personal hygiene for the patient. And while we do not provide 24-7 care, per se, we are available on-call 24-7 for nursing and social services," explained Lyda. "We focus not only on the patient but their family as well. We take a well-rounded approach to patient care that adds an extra element to the quality of care patients receive in hospice."

"Community awareness and education are an essential part of what Optima Hospice offers. We often think only of quality and comfort for a patient during whatever time they have. But it goes beyond being aware that hospice is available. Knowing what hospice can and can't do is augmented by the community's understanding," Cherie said.

Optimal Hospice Care also offers grief support groups. Various groups meet throughout the week in Bakersfield, Fresno, Lake Isabella, Madera, Modesto, Porterville, Santa Clara, Stockton, Taft, Tehachapi and Visalia. The Tehachapi grief support group meets on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Tehachapi Senior Citizens Center at 500 E. F St. Groups in Bakersfield, Fresno, Madera, Porterville and Visalia also have counseling available "En Español."

"We also have a Kid's Grief Connection available in Bakersfield, Taft and Delano," shared Cherie, "And then there's Kid's Camp held in Fresno and Kern Counties each year. The loss of a loved one touches each member of the family, especially children,"

"Kid's camp is designed for young people ages eight to 16 who have experienced the loss of a loved one during the past year. They enjoy traditional camp activities such as swimming and hiking in an atmosphere where both staff and fellow campers understand how difficult grief can be," she explained further. "It's a two and a half day camp where kids connect to share their loss with other kids in the same space. There's one-on-one counselling available as well as camp times. It's a healing time for all who venture out. Camp participants may be referred by school counselors, hospice social workers and spiritual counselors, healthcare providers, family members or other individuals. Even grand kids visiting from out of state can participate. Kid's Camp is funded, which makes it 'affordable' for families. We rely on Memorial Camp donations from the Tehachapi Car Show Committee for some of the funds," she added.

The Foundation also has special events to bring in needed funds. This year they are having a concert on April 10 featuring Ry Bradley, a young songwriter raised on Merle Haggard and schooled by the Rolling Stones. You can check him out at http://rybradley.com . The concert is scheduled to be held at The Nile (1721 19th St., Bakersfield, Calif.) and begins at 5 p.m. You can purchase tickets online via Ry's web site or by calling 661-716-8000.

In September they have a golf tournament: "In the Sun and Under the Stars" where glow-balls were the rage. This event is held at the Stockdale Country Club in Bakersfield.

Coming up in December, they have a "Light Up A Life" event which is usually held at Kelcy's Café right here in Tehachapi.

"We are always looking for folks who would like to volunteer," said Lyda. We have opportunities in patient family support, bereavement care, 11th hour professional service (i.e., massage therapist, hair stylist, etc.), CarePals pet therapy, music therapy, community support, recruiting support, sewing support, light housekeeping and yard assistance," shared Cherie, "You can donate as much or as little time as you are able. There's a simple training program that will get you started. If you'd like more information, please call our volunteer department at 1-888-597-6115."

As a nonprofit organization, Optimal Hospice Foundation relies on tax-deductible donations, employee giving, fund-raising events and volunteers to support hospice services, Kid's Camp and community outreach programs. For more information about this aspect of Optimal Hospice Foundation you can go to their web side, http://optimalhospicefoundation.com or by calling the Foundation office at 661-716-8000.

"Knowledge is a valuable tool," said Cherie. "Knowing more about Optimal Hospice Care and Optimal Hospice Foundation empowers not only individuals but the Tehachapi Community as well."

Be informed.

Make a phone call.

Volunteer if you have time.

Please make a donation if you can.

This article is sponsored by Guild Mortgage - See their ad on page 15.