Twice a month a group of people meet at the Senior Center at Highlands Park in Ben Lomond. The goal is to have a space to talk about the inevitable—how to best support someone before they die.
The San Lorenzo Valley Support Group, sponsored by the Valley Women’s Club, is slowly growing in popularity as people recognize it can be difficult at times to prepare for the end of life. The group brings in speakers from Hospice of Santa Cruz County to answer questions and or give support to caregivers who are taking care of a loved one who is sick or aging.
At last week’s meeting, Vanessa Silverstein, an educational and outreach coordinator for Hospice, spoke to the group about some misconceptions regarding hospice care. The discussion was facilitated by Barbara Hanson, of the Valley Women’s Club.
Hospice care is intended for individuals who have a prognosis of dying within six months or less. It provides extra support working with a medical director, social workers, nurses, aids and volunteers.
“Hospice is about living and working with people that are alive,” said Silverstein. “We are redefining hope.”
When an individual decides he or she is in need of hospice, the person will be set up with a “hospice team” of providers. Including a medical director, the person’s primary care doctor, nurses, hospice aids, volunteers and a chaplain (if requested).
“Our biggest priority is to have the team communicate,” said Silverstein.
At Hospice of Santa Cruz County, while it does not provide 24/7 care, it does offer a hotline staffed with nurses ready to answer questions. Additionally, after an individual in hospice care has deceased, an emotional grief support is offered for 13 months to the family and friends of the individual.
Silverstein explained that if a person is on Medi-Cal, hospice is free.
Group members discussed personal instances with older parents that caused frustrations and difficulties with providing the best care. Silverstein offered her advice with assisting aging parents and directed the group members to visit the website for Hospice of Santa Cruz County for further information:
The next SLV Caregiver Support Group will be on March 22 at 2 p.m. The public is welcome.
