It is incredibly fulfilling to do the work that we have the honor to do, day in, and day out. To receive such notes like this from a patient’s family, reminds us just how important it is to keep on doing our very best, in every day.
What a compliment: “You run like NASA with the heart of the Lord”.
Our mission – after all – is ‘that all patients and families entrusted to our care will be treated with the highest level of compassion, respect, and quality of care.’
The stages of mourning and grief are universal and are experienced by people from all walks of life. Mourning occurs in response to an individual’s own terminal illness, the loss of a close relationship, or to the death of a valued being, human or animal.
Every person grieves differently, and typically experience five stages of normal grief. Many do not experience the stages in order. In Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross book, “On Death and Dying” she identified the stages as denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. (source: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation.)
Loved ones that are terminally ill or aging appear to go through a final period of withdrawal. Those coping with loss spend different lengths of time working through each step and express each stage with different levels of intensity.
Bristol Hospice is here to support. Our trained volunteers, Chaplains and Bereavement Counselors provide grief counseling and support groups for those who have experienced loss.
Contact us to learn how our experts provide support for those coping with loss and grief.
At Bristol Hospice, we are graciously committed to our mission that all patients and families entrusted to our care will be treated with the highest level of compassion, respect, and quality of care. Thank you for the wonderful comments from those we serve.
Here are just a few of the kinds words we receive.
Bristol Hospice ~ California:
“I am grateful for the help I received from your team and the support I received at this time. I want to thank each and everyone for the good care and, also, the chaplain. They all made it easier at this time for me. Thank you.”
Bristol Hospice ~Sacramento:
“I can’t thank the entire team that provided amazing and quality care to my dad! You were there to listen and guide us and also be very honest too! Dad looked forward to your visits and so did I.”
Bristol Hospice ~Stockton:
“I had always assumed that all hospice care was the same and was amazed and grateful at how much more you offered…Thank you for your wonderful support and care of and for my husband. Every single person was wonderful over a very hard few days. Again, thank you.”
Bristol Hospice ~Georgia:
“Thank you so very much for helping me get though my moms final days…that you were there gave me great comfort. Thank you for your kindness to my mother and to me. Your spiritual support was welcome and helpful.”
Bristol Hospice ~Hawaii:
“Everyone that I met and talked to were very comforting, helpful, informative, caring and always available to assist me as needed. Fantastic team. Fantastic service.”
Judith Karman Bristol Hospice:
“I took care of my husband 24/7 and hospice was a lifesaver for me, as well as my husband. They were always respectful…we were both considered in all of his care. They all cared for my husband like he was a best friend. Of course, my husband was always considerate of all his caregivers. He never let them leave without telling them he appreciated them and thanked them.”
Bristol Hospice ~Oregon:
“I felt that everyone I dealt with was great. They were all very caring individuals and they made my aunt’s last days more comfortable for her. Thank you to everyone on your staff that helped my aunt.”
Bristol Hospice ~Texas:
“The team we worked with was exemplary. Could not have gotten better care and compassion anywhere else. He loved and was blessed for all of them and so were we (the family). This was not our family’s first experience with a hospice care, but, this was by far the best we have ever experienced…we were blessed to have the most excellent care…”
Bristol Hospice ~Pathways:
“I had never dealt with hospice before…I was so pleased with the patient care and concern and kindness shown to the patient and family. Every caretaker was so kind and sweet to my mom, and that meant so very much. Also, with nurse being with us when she passed was great. We certainly appreciated the chaplain and his concern!”
Bristol Hospice ~Northern UT:
“The entire team was awesome from beginning to end. They continue to be of support still after three months…very caring and concerned for the comfort of my mom and, also for us. Together they all made a difficult time a little easier. Thank you!”
Bristol Hospice ~Utah:
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the care my husband received, and with the compassion shown to me. A special thanks to the RN who cared for him and showed such great concern for me…for continuing to check-in with me and being an emotional support. Very comforting time and words from the social worker.”
It is not surprising that most people associate hospice with cancer. In the mid-1970s when hospice came to the U.S., most hospice patients had cancer. Today, more than half of hospice patients in the U.S. have other illnesses for which they are medically eligible for hospice services, such as late-stage heart, lung or kidney disease, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. (source: Hospice Foundation of America). Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, VA and most insurance plans cover hospice services.
Hospice is not a place, because Hospice is a plan of care. Patients may receive Hospice services wherever they call home, which may be a private residence or that of a loved one, hospital, assisted living center, or nursing home.
“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life.”~Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of modern hospice.
Hospice is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. At the center of hospice and palliative care is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.
Typically, in order to receive hospice services:
Click here for resources for end-of-life caregiving resources from Hospice Foundation of America. Or for further information from our Hospice experts, contact us.
Bristol Hospice ~ Hawaii is pleased to participate during the Convoy of Hope Oahu Community Event at the Richardson Field near the Aloha Stadium, this Saturday, July 16. Bristol Hospice ~ Hawaii Medical Director, Dr. Ritabelle Fernandez, along with other physicians from across the state, will be volunteering during this event.
The Convoy of Hope Oahu event is just the beginning of a long-lasting movement that has the power to transform people’s lives, inspire compassion and service, and bring people and organizations together like never before. This is a collaborative effort to bring hope to a city through free groceries, health screenings, job services, family portraits, haircuts, prayer, activities for children and more. Learn more about the event and the organization.
America’s hospice professionals are on a mission to learn how to serve Veterans through the challenges they may be facing from illness, isolation or traumatic life experience.
Bristol Hospice is proud to be hospice partners the We Honor Veterans program. Developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the We Honor Veterans program aims to invite hospices to join a pioneering program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment in the care of veterans.
As a We Honor Veterans Partner, the Bristol Hospice staff is better to:
Also, the keepsake book, “One Who Served: A Memorial Tribute to Your Veteran.” is presented as a gift from Bristol Hospice for the family when their Veteran passes away. The book was written to celebrate military service, recognize the family, define the grieving process and provide resources for assistance. Learn more.
Helpful links
The VA provides a full range of benefits to all enrolled Veterans. Click the links below for a broad overview of the benefits administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
Contact us for more information about how Bristol Hospice delivers services for our Veterans.
After six long years, and at the age of 34, Charles Njenga, Bristol Hospice HHA, is a U.S. citizen! He passed the U.S. Citizenship Exam earlier this month with flying colors.
Charles, raised by a single mother with five brothers and sisters in a small village in Kenya, came to the U.S. to make a better life and provide for his family. After moving to the U.S., he immediately enrolled in a program to become a CNA/HHA and landed his first job at a skilled nursing facility. Charles joined the Bristol Hospice team in May 2014 and started down the path to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Charles said working for Bristol Hospice helped him study for the exam. He listened to the U.S. Citizenship lectures on his CD player while driving patient-to-patient. When asked “what is next?” his face lit up as he stated with a beaming smile, “I want to have my mom come and visit. I really miss her.”
Bristol Hospice ~ Sacramento congratulates Charles on the hard work and dedication given to obtaining his U.S. citizenship. We are proud to have you part of the team!
Through our compassionate presence we greet each other in our journey of life and honor the spirit within. This is the philosophy of Namaste.
At Bristol Hospice, all Namaste care is tailored to the individual being served and is designed to improve the quality of life for people who are suffering from the advanced stages of disease. Namaste care focuses on the five senses of the body. Through our compassionate presence, gentle touch, soothing and uplifting music, therapeutic essential oils, companionship, and nourishment, we connect with the sixth sense – the spirit.
Learn more about our Namaste Program, click here or contact us.
June 9 – 16 is the 39th Annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week, celebrating the vital supporting role Nursing Assistants play in the delivery of quality care. It is reported that each day, more than 4.5 million caregivers provide hands-on care to our nation’s frail, elderly, or chronically challenged citizens. Visit cna-network.org to find out how you can thank Nursing Assistants this week.
This week especially, Bristol Hospice would like to commend all of the CNAs who provide comfort, care and support of those receiving hospice services. Thank you for all you do for Bristol Hospice’s patients and families. You are at the heart of caring!