I choose to do hospice because I truly believe what we do affirms life. Just as there is a gathering of family, friends and resources when a new life begins, it should be no different for a person when they approach the end of life. Though we are unable to control a patient’s “quantity” of life, it is a rewarding experience to be able to offer comfort and guidance to a patient and their family to allow them the best “quality” of life possible.   Hospice allows a patient and family the opportunity to choose how they wish to spend their last days.    That choice allows them to maintain their dignity and autonomy as an individual.   Most often, there is nothing more comforting for a patient than to be in their own home environment – surrounded by family and by sights, sounds and smells that are familiar and reassuring.  Hospice truly gives patients and their families the ability to make their own choices – and usually one of those choices is being at home.  It is the best gift that can be given to someone facing the end of life.

                                                                                                                     Cathy Thompson, RN