19 AUGUST 2024By allowing patients to experience peace, love and comfort in their final days, surrounded by familiar and supportive environments, we assure their family members and make it clear we are not giving up on themadministrative staff and nursing team collaborate to evaluate every need, based on which the care plan is developed.In a typical week, caregivers--certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and home health aides--visit frequently. They assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and getting out of bed, offering peace of mind to families knowing their loved ones are receiving the necessary assistance. On alternate days, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and registered nurses (RNs), who serve as case managers, visit the patients to supervise if the care provided is on track. Adjustments to visits, plans and comfort measures are constantly aligned with the patient's evolving needs.Another strength of the team is its ability to connect with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Whether the patients are Vietnamese, Spanish or Chinese, the members speak multiple languages and understand their cultural nuances. This familiarity fosters deeper connections and significantly enhances the quality of care delivered.Strong spiritual support is also a key aspect of care, respecting the patients' and family's beliefs or cultural traditions. Counselors guide them to express their values and fears, allowing for a more profound understanding of the meaning of life and death."We've observed that most patients nearing the end of life are more concerned about their families than themselves. They often worry, `What will my family do without me?'" asserts Zenou, co-founder and co-CEO. Comfort Life Hospice eases these concerns by offering bereavement support to help families handle grief. This support prepares families for what to expect next, addresses delicate family dynamics and provides resources to help explain the loss of a loved one to children in age-appropriate ways.One such story involves an 88-year-old male patient diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder, living in an assisted living facility with his wife. The patient required higher levels of care, and his wife desired space to entertain visitors without disturbing him. Despite the facility being full, Comfort Life leveraged its strong relationships to secure a connected VIP suite for the couple. This arrangement provided the wife with personal space and allowed staff to deliver necessary care. The patient passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and caregivers, with his wife deeply grateful for Comfort Life's added comfort and support during and after such a difficult time.At the heart of such success stories is the hospice team, which includes medical directors, skilled nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers and home health aides. Beyond this dedicated team, the organization's volunteer program and internships invite medical and nursing students to deliver high-quality care by engaging in activities such as playing games and offering companionship. This initiative also addresses the industry's challenge of retaining skilled caregivers and nurses.Through all its endeavors, the hospice team's overarching mission is simple--in the face of patients' greatest challenges, they can still find comfort, dignity and joy with Comfort Life. This proves that even in life's final chapter, there are still beautiful stories and memories to be written.
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