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Hospice SLO County Blogs
Opening my heart to learn about death and working with those in situations that require support has deeply enriched my life. My Hospice SLO County training, which was concurrent with my retirement and entrance into the decade of my 70s, put me in a space to visualize what my feelings about death and preparation for death were. It is not always easy, but it is so fulfilling to my whole self; so much growth and change.
Have you encountered the term "care management"? If you've been in the hospital, you may have heard of this or "case management." You might have worked with a care manager to assist in transitioning from the hospital to your home or a facility.
But who helps you with resources and care navigation once you are at home, especially if you or your loved one has a chronic illness?
A community care manager is a nurse or social worker with special training and education in helping people plug into various agencies and access resources in the community setting. A care manager can provide you with a plan for current and future needs and stay in communication over time to help prevent unnecessary hospitalization or medical intervention. They can also help you determine when to take advantage of other special services or health care.
If you have ever struggled to understand what your health practitioners suggest or if you feel confused about care options and community resources, a care manager might be a great option to help you, and your loved ones receive guidance, insight, and facilitation for access to care.
Most care managers are independent unless they are part of your insurance coverage. Insurer-provided care managers usually live outside the area. Their general guidance and resources may not be specific to your community. That usually leaves people paying $75 to $150 per hour for care management, which few can afford.
Thanks to the generous support of the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation, SLO County is very fortunate to have free community care management through Hospice SLO County. This service is funded explicitly for those who are caring for loved ones with dementia, but anyone facing serious illness can receive it.
Our care manager can listen carefully, guide you to appropriate support (including our own in-home respite, grief counseling, and support group programs), and provide regular in-person or telephonic follow-up and care planning. This service is essential for anyone navigating the choppy waters of being a family caregiver or for anyone navigating chronic health issues.
If you feel you could benefit from our Care Management support, please reach out to Kim Chartrand at 805-544-2266 or [email protected].
When Laura's* mom, Roberta*, suffered a stroke, their lives changed in an instant. Roberta, who had lived independently for decades, could no longer return to her rural home after being discharged from the hospital. She moved in with Laura, and the family rallied around - but not everyone could keep their promises of support.
Charles* was once a prolific artist in his community. However, after being hit by COVID and other chronic health issues, he started to notice that important things in his life were slipping away, and he wasn't eating regularly.
Upon realizing his condition, his home health nurse referred him to Hospice SLO County. Our Volunteer Manager arranged a meeting with Charles and our Care Manager. After discussing his situation, Charles agreed that an in-home volunteer could help with essential tasks such as organizing, running errands, and meal preparation.
Paul* and Barb* were passionate travelers who were about to retire from their careers. However, Barb began noticing some changes in Paul's behavior. Paul started seeing things that weren't there and forgetting things he used to remember easily. As an avid carpenter, Paul's work started showing large gaps and uneven lines, which was unlike his usual perfectionist self. After a few months, Paul was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia by his neurologist. Barb had to take care of Paul all the time, as he would often wander around the neighborhood without letting her know. Traveling also became challenging for them, as the change in environment made things worse for Paul.
Gloria* is a 95-year-old woman who lives independently in a small house by the coast. Her dog is her constant companion, and her daughter Angie* lives nearby.
Initially, Angie was concerned that working with Hospice SLO County meant her mother was dying, but this was not the case. Our Volunteer Services Manager explained that since Hospice SLO County is non-medical and volunteer-based, we could support Gloria with companionship and socialization and assign a Pet Peace of Mind volunteer to help her care for her dog.
Ray*, a Korean War Veteran, was living independently until he suffered a stroke. After his hospitalization and rehabilitation, he couldn't maintain his previous level of independence. His daughter, Carrie*, left her career behind and relocated to the county to become Ray's primary caregiver, serving as his official VA Aid and Attendance caregiver. However, Carrie soon realized she needed assistance and respite to provide the best care for her father while also taking care of herself.
My road to Hospice SLO County unknowingly began in late 2009 when my mom, Vicky Taylor, died of cancer just five weeks after I gave birth to my first child. We had hospice support for about a month and had a beautiful experience. I say “we” because the support was not just for my mom, but also for our entire family. After her passing, I found that being a new mom left me with little time or energy to process her death or grieve.
Often, images of winter holidays seen on television, in movies, and in advertising show happy people celebrating their traditions with their loved ones. But what if a loved one has died? Incorporating loved ones who are no longer living into holiday traditions was the basis for Hospice SLO County's first Light Up A Life remembrance ceremony.
"Coping with my mom's frontotemporal dementia is difficult. Hospice SLO County helped me find services and a caregiver support group."
John*, who was previously unhoused, contacted Hospice SLO County just after VASH (Veteran’s Affairs for Supportive Housing) found him a safe place to live. John lived alone in his new home, and he was unable to run errands or stand for long periods due to his congestive heart disease.
On May 2, 2023, employees and incarcerated workers from the California Men’s Colony (CMC) California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) presented Hospice SLO County with a donation of $2,560.
In late February, 2023, Former President Jimmy Carter made an announcement that he had "decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention."
Bruce Willis' loved ones shared that the actor has a Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) diagnosis. FTD can cause problems with speech, emotion, motor skills, gait, swallowing, and can cause personality changes. These symptoms tend to worsen over time. FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under 60. Bruce Willis' family shared that this is a challenging time for them but they are moving through it as a strong family unit focused on helping Bruce live as full a life as possible. They continue to keep him active every day and make sure both his body and brain are exercised.
Nearly one million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease. Approximately 90,000 are diagnosed each year, or one every six minutes.
Mike* began to notice Cathy stumbling and forgetting appointments. After a medical evaluation, Cathy was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia.
Maria was overwhelmed trying to help Jim and also walk their dog Chester, an 8-year-old golden retriever. Their adult children were so busy with work and kids that they couldn’t walk Chester as often as was needed either. Hospice SLO County’s volunteer coordinator mentioned that perhaps one of our “Pet Peace of Mind” volunteers could help. Jim reluctantly agreed and Maria was thrilled.
Hospice SLO County helped me care for my wife who was living with dementia.
“I’m alive today because of my end-of-life Doula, Karen,” Kelly* said to me recently. “We share a very strong bond.” Kelly, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and then suffered from two malignant brain tumors in the past six years, was referring to her volunteer doula from Hospice SLO County...
Bill has been caring for his wife, Laura, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago. Laura is now at the point where it is not safe for her to be left alone. Bill cannot take a break from caregiving and has no time to take care of his medical needs...
Esther was in her 90s and had lived independently until last December when she contracted COVID-19. While she recovered, she was weaker than before and seemed prone to more illness. Her daughter Sue* was spending more and more time with her mom and having to help her with more of her activities of daily living...
Your gift makes a difference in so many lives, including Laurie and David's.
Laurie works full time as the sole family provider and her husband David is undergoing treatments for cancer. David is often too weak to get out. One of our Hospice SLO County volunteers visits with him 1-2 times a week and calls in between times to provide companionship and practical help when Laurie is at work...
Many of our clients are elderly, on a fixed income, and live alone. For them, navigating finances and insurance can be challenging. At Hospice SLO County, we take away finance and insurance worries by offering our services free of charge. One phone call is all it takes to receive a plethora of support.
Faith*, a widow with dementia, utilizes our In-Home and Pet Peace of Mind programs. She also receives Care Management assistance. Faith would not be able to afford these services from a private contractor...
In 2012, I experienced a loss that no parent should ever have to endure – the death of my beloved son Zachary. Zachary was a kind, loving, bundle of energy, who brought so much joy to those around him. But he struggled with mental illness and when he was 20 years old, he decided to end his life. In the months after Zachary died, I had no idea what to do. The support of my friends, family, and church brought great comfort and relief, but I didn’t know how to process my grief and I knew I wasn’t heading in a good direction...
Stella* resided in an assisted living facility when her health issues worsened and became terminal. Her doctor prescribed hospice care. She remained at the facility in familiar surroundings, with medical hospice providing comfort-focused care, equipment, and supplies to address the hospice diagnosis. The assisted living facility continued to provide non-hospice-related services...
Ron was referred to Hospice SLO County for companionship and practical assistance because his Parkinson’s disease was causing an increase in tremors and weakness...
Jim and Donna were married 42 years when they learned he had cancer. The diagnosis left them reeling. Treatment was recommended to start immediately...
February 4th is observed internationally as “World Cancer Day” to raise awareness of cancer symptoms, treatments, and advocacy. But what is often overlooked is the day-to-day experience of a cancer diagnosis: the shock of the initial diagnosis, the overwhelm of treatments, the unknown, the questions, and the physical and emotional support needed...
When Caroline first heard about Hospice SLO County in 2018, she wasn’t sure what to think. Her husband, Russell, had recently undergone hip replacement surgery and it was becoming clear that he would be wheelchair-bound moving forward. Until then, she had only ever thought of hospice as end-of-life care. Realizing the resources and support that were available even in the midst of Russell’s life-limiting illness changed everything...
At a December 2017 visit with his cardiologist to begin treating his peripheral artery disease, the doctor told my husband and me that a mass was seen on the CT scan he had ordered. That was news I did not expect to hear. We visited the Pulmonologist for a diagnosis (stage IV lung cancer) and then the Oncologist. Soon we added a Radiation Oncologist to the team...
In 2018, I challenged myself to engage in an area of volunteer service that was outside my comfort zone. I enrolled as a volunteer with Hospice SLO County and received 30 hours of expert training in the methods and skills to serve in-home clients with terminal or severely life-limiting conditions. The excellent weekly sessions with over a dozen other trainees gradually built my confidence to the point that I felt I could support someone in need...
I remember the day I realized my beloved husband Bob had dementia. He turned to me and asked, “Where’s the brake on this car?” ...
Twenty five years ago, I got a phone call that changed my life. It was a call telling me that my husband had died while he was away on a golfing trip. I was only fifty-two at the time and never thought that something like this would happen. At first I was surrounded by family and friends so I was distracted from the numbness and grief that I felt. After the funeral, my support group began to fade as each of them returned to their jobs and families...
Jeff owned a collection of surfboards and was often seen shredding the waves at Morro Rock with his son. Jeff also had a passion for mountain biking and chugged up sharp, steep trails like a locomotive. Jeff relished weeklong ski trips to Mammoth with his wife and children. Jeff was revered as a construction manager and was described by his peers as a robust, beautiful, and gracious man. Then catastrophe struck...
Roger is a Veteran who also worked in law enforcement. An injury on the job set him up for a life of chronic pain and a series of life-limiting illnesses, including kidney failure. His wife Andrea has been caring for him by herself but began to feel exhausted with little time to run errands, get her hair cut, or even attend to her own medical needs...
You hear Thank you for your support a lot from non-profits. But who you are supporting is not always clear. Every client at Hospice SLO County has a story. Here is a story that has touched our hearts...
Your dedicated donors help people like Faith, a widow, who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia several years back. Faith has a long time Hospice SLO County in-home volunteer who helps her 4 hours per week and also a Pet Peace of Mind volunteer allowing her to keep her dog. Because she has complicated care needs, she also receives Care Management services from Hospice SLO County...
Caring for an ill or declining family member can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. “Tending is tiring,” says Roslyn Strohl, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Hospice of San Luis Obispo County. Roslyn points out that loss begins with the stress of caregiving. A life-limiting illness may force a couple to give up long-cherished retirement plans or working parents to focus less on their growing children. These losses are as real as a loss through death but are often discounted by society at large...
I am moved by the gratitude of the caregivers for what seems to be so little for me to give.
“Educating about end of life care and how each of us owes it not only to ourselves but also to our loved ones to make sure our wishes are thought out, expressed, and documented is a passion for me. Hospice SLO County offers assistance with accessing, understanding and completing Advance Healthcare Directives and POLST without charge. If you have an interest in getting started on the conversation, call (805) 544-2266.”
"You will not find a more worthy organization that holds up your community in the very worst of times at no charge to anyone, ever".
Hospice Threshold Singers has been a saving grace in my life. The group continues to grow under Ruth Baile’s compassionate, encouraging, committed leadership giving all of us a chance to sing at the bedside of people and pets on the threshold of their lives.
Concentrate on living in the moment every day rather than thinking your life may be coming to an end soon. Celebrate each day by doing something that brings you joy. Plan activities for the upcoming weeks and note your plans on your calendar. My doctors predicted I had about two months to live. That was nine months ago, and I am still enjoying my dream of being a writer.
As a Trauma/General Surgeon I’ve encountered many people near the end of their lives. I saw many deaths from tragedies. I am always amazed by how few people and their families are prepared for end-of-life issues. I saw how many people debilitated by disease and infirmity have exhausted their caregivers. I discovered how frequently getting sick and hospitalized led to a transition to a nursing home rather than going home because there just weren’t enough resources so that the patient could go back home.
For one year now I have given my time as an In-Home Volunteer with Hospice SLO. We focus on providing emotional comfort and companionship to our client, and respite care for the caregiver. I know personally that we as End-Of-Life Doulas make a difference to our client and to the family members. Recently one of my clients died and while I talked to her husband afterwards he expressed his thanks for knowing there was someone else who knew his wife, who cared about her, who sat beside her, and also was there for him as he needed to talk about her and his future without her.
"Hospice SLO County has made my disability much less impacting to me. It has freed me up to do other things that I can do and allowed me to have more energy to enjoy my life. It is a bright spot amongst my challenges" said Denise.
Grief is such a personal thing and a universal thing at the same time. Something I had found well-meaning friends at home could not entirely grasp. But here, at Hospice SLO, the playing field was leveled. I COULD TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF MY SPOUSE, MY BEST FRIEND, MY CHOSEN LIFE PARTNER, AND CRY, knowing that my inner pain was understood and accepted. We all shared a common loss.
