Historically, people have died at home surrounded by loved ones. Recently out culture has somewhat shunned that idea, preferring instead to die in the sterile environment of a hospital. Having worked in the intensive care unit (ICU) for two years, I know that death in the hospital can be chaotic, painful, and traumatic. The transition from working in the ICU to caring for hospice patients in their home was profound. I've gone from witnessing horrific deaths to experiencing calm, peaceful, and even beautiful deaths at home. I am passionate about what I do because I've seen the alternative.
A new study confirms what hospice professionals have known for years: dying at home is better -- both for the cancer patient and his/her family. The study, reported in the September 13th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that cancer patients who die in the hospital have worse quality of life than those who die at home. The study also found that caregivers of patients who die in the ICU are at an increased risk for developing psychiatric illnesses during the bereavement process, like PTSD.
Still, there are many cancer patients and family members who believe dying in the hospital will be better. They believe the doctors and nurses can control pain better with IV's and around the clock nursing care. They think it will be easier on their family to let someone else handle caregiving. But anecdotal -- and now scientific -- research has proven that to be untrue. Hospice is able to control symptoms just as well as, and in most cases better than, the hospital. Family caregivers experience a profound sense of love and selflessness in the act of caregiving. Quality of life is better for the patient and the grieving process is easier for the family when death occurs at home.
With the help of hospice care, nearly any patient can choose to die at home. Hospice offers medical care with expert symptom management for the patient and practical, as well as emotional, support for the family. Where would you choose to die?
My mother died in my home last year and it was so much better than it would have been in a hospital. But, there was so much to learn about caregiving, hospice, what to expect, and caring for the heart of my mom as she approached her death.
After she passed I wrote “Peaceful Passage – the essential guide to navigating the emotional storms and daily logistics of an at-home, end-of-life journey” for others who will take this same journey. It just came out this month and hospices around the country are raving about it. You can learn more about it at http://www.peaceful-passage.com.
I truly believe that dying at home will be how most of us will want to die and knowing how to care well during that time will enable it to be a peaceful end to life here.
I have had a few people in my family die from cancer at home. I’m not really sure if it’s a good thing I just know that it was something that they wanted to do. I believe that they felt more at peace and it was easier for them to go. It was also easier on us because it was the way that they wanted to go and we knew that they were happy which was the main thing. I found this article very helpful.