Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the well-being of terminally ill patients. This type of care prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering.
When the quantity of life is limited, hospice care emphasizes the quality of life remaining by focusing on the emotional, social, spiritual, and physical comfort of the patient and family. This is accomplished through a team of professionals and trained volunteers.
Vera Hummel is someone who offers a unique perspective into hospice, having experienced hospice from many perspectives – First as a family member of a hospice patient, then as a Hospice volunteer, then a Hospice patient herself, and now as a recent hospice “graduate.” Vera First encountered hospice when her oldest sister received end of life care after. It was then that Vera experienced the many ways Hospice can be a gift to patients and families alike: not only supporting patients, but allowing families more time and flexibility to simply be together, doing the things they love. Vera decided she wanted to be a part of helping others in this way and became a hospice volunteer with Providence Hospice. For a little over Five years, Vera volunteered with patients and families, providing the same caring and compassionate support she received when her sister was on hospice. Then, when Vera was was no longer able to live at home due to three surgeries and an illness, she shifted from being a Hospice Volunteer to a Hospice Patient. “Hospice isn’t so much about dying as it is living. It’s about a different kind of healing. Hospice gives you and your loved ones the comfort of knowing you’ll be cared for, so you can focus on the people and activities you love,” says Vera. And her story doesn’t stop there. As sometimes happens, Vera “graduated” from Hospice Care in August due to health improvements. Like all of us, Vera’s next chapter is unknown, but what we do know is Vera has touched many lives with her volunteer services. We are grateful she chose PMC Hospice when she needed it, and was willing to share her story with us so we can share it with others.