Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar Reader Views is an honor to speak with Frances Shani Parker, author of "Becoming Dead Right: Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes", ISBN 9781932690354, reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (05/07 ).
Frances Shani Parker is a writer, consultant, hospice volunteer, and former director who has won numerous awards and been published in everything from poetry anthologies, educational publications.
Tyler: Welcome, Frances. I'm glad you're here today. Obviously, you have strong writing and education, but his new book differs from your previous writings. For starters, what made you first decide to be a hospice volunteer?
Frances: More than three years, I helped two male relatives who were living with AIDS. years after the first man died, I learned another man had AIDS. These people, who were close to each other, or me, were people in need of caregiving support. Since I have never been attracted to caring for sick people, I wondered why this situation came into my life. After talking with a friend who has enjoyed as a hospice volunteer, I realized that I was doing hospice work with two men. I decided to take classes to become a certified hospice volunteer, and I was one for nine years.
Tyler: What is the experience as a hospice volunteer led you to write "Becoming Dead Right "?
Frances: As I became more involved in the hospice in Detroit nursing homes, I found myself writing poetry and prose about my experiences. I shared these writings on poetry readings and noticed how many people are eager to discuss the terminally ill loved ones who have impacted their lives. Their need for more caregiver and grief support become apparent.
While investigating the death theme, I discovered that most books on the market does not include the perspectives of people of color or those dying in urban homes. I believe that one person can make a difference.
Knowing that there are millions of different baby boomers become senior citizens in need of end-of-life information for their elders and themselves, I decided to write a book that will serve as an inclusive guide to becoming literally dead right.
Tyler: It's interesting that he started to write poetry. Are your creative pieces included in "Becoming Dead Right" or have plans to release those parts separately?
Frances: I'm glad you asked. The book is Chapter Sixteen, literature, resources, and index. Each chapter concludes with an original song. I've been told that the songs add another dimension that enhances the storytelling, and general information. Each song rose from the passions inspired by particular people and situations.
Tyler: Can you define what is true for us, "hospice" employee or a volunteer? Is this the only volunteer in a nursing home, or to include home health care? How is it different from being an assistant nursing home?
Frances: hospice philosophy supports quality end of life care physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. hospice volunteer is part of a team of people who provide hospice care for dying patients wherever they live. Families of patients are also supported. After I finished my training, I had the opportunity of volunteering with patients in private homes or nursing homes. I chose the latter.
nursing home aide, also referred to as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), the wages of health workers who receive more extensive training in working with patients. In nursing homes, they provide direct, hands-on patient care.
Tyler: Your book's subtitle is "Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes." Do you think there is a significant difference between urban and rural or small town more nursing homes? Would your book appeal to readers more familiar with small town nursing homes?
Frances: Healthcare and death are universally accepted themes, regardless of the setting in which they occur. Nursing homes, reflecting the uniqueness of their surroundings, but they all have the basic goals of health care to serve patients. Inclusive sharing of best practices was particularly useful. The beauty of geographical diversity, including internationally, is that different characteristics can serve as a useful learning resource for everyone. Along those same lines, and share a few scenarios on my death-related experiences of growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Tyler: I've heard a lot of people say they hate the nursing homes, and there are even people who refuse to visit their families there, because it's too depressing. What would you say to such people?
Frances: Nursing homes are the products of a society that allows them to exist in their positive or negative terms. There are good nursing homes, but ignoring those who are not good only contributes to making them up. There is everything "culture change" movement to create person centered nursing homes who really focus on meeting the needs of users and staff members. This approach brings satisfaction and productivity by setting up a nursing home. In the last chapter of "Becoming Dead Right", a home care model is based on current best practice is described.
For those who avoid depressing nursing homes, I would say that the best way to help patients in these environments is committed to advocating for them personally or on a wider scale. Leave the patient in such a critical time in their lives that they continue to harass and contribute to the negative conditions.
Tyler: Frances, do you think are the greatest challenges facing nursing homes, hospice workers, financial or otherwise
?Frances: Funding is fundamental to the existence of nursing homes and hospice programs. Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies must reimburse the financial nursing homes and hospice programs to meet the realistic needs of patients.
diversity (racial, ethnic, gender, etc.) in the health care system must be eliminated. Overwhelming evidence indicates that these differences adversely affect the group. Health workers in all areas, including nursing homes, hospice programs, must take responsibility to change the unfair treatment. This is not just a health issue, but also moral.
is in progress, extended education on the benefits of hospice care is needed at the national level in all communities. the fundamental goal should be to achieve diversity at all levels of staff and patient care.
many homes that still reflect the traditional stereotypes of what institutional settings should not be implemented culture change that will promote harmony and efficiency for patients, caregivers, and staff workers.
Tyler: Of course, hospice workers have become attached to their patients, but it must be bitter attachment, knowing that ultimately their patients will die. What makes the experience rewarding?
Frances: Volunteers, especially those in nursing homes, find a range of experiences while serving hospice patients and their families. Some volunteers say that interaction helps them to become better people. Patients were also awarded a volunteer caregivers, who are only there to assist them in having a dignified death trip.
Tyler: Earlier you mentioned that you started in the hospice as a result of caring for two men who suffer from AIDS. Did you find certain cases, such as people dying of old age, or AIDS, or cancer, difficult, interesting, or rewarding than others?
Frances: Although their disease vary, patients, and not their disease, are what make an interesting and rewarding. time I spend with patients is also a factor in how well I know and interact with them on a deeper level. I have had patients who died before I met them, or before my second visit. On the other hand, I have had patients who have lived as long as three years.
Tyler: One of the things hard, I know, from my experience is the inability to know what to say when you go to visit someone in a nursing home, and at the same time, a sense that time is precious, because loved ones can not be long live. What advice would you give to talk to nursing home patients?
Frances: Taking cues from patients, visitors should use good common sense. Whether patients can speak or not, they are usually glad to have company. Analysis of physical appearance, body language, words and room conditions, can reveal much about what patients need to improve their comfort levels.
Visitors should talk with patients as they would talk to anyone else, even if the patient can not respond. Include patients in conversations when others are present. Encourage patients to speak for themselves, when they can. Visitors should be aware of what they say when they think that patients are asleep or in a coma. Patients may still be able to hear them.
Tyler: With people living longer and baby boomer generation grows older now, what do you think will be the future of hospice
?Frances: Baby boomers, those born from 1946-1964, can play an important role as advocates for improving health care and elderly nursing home reform. the future will be expanded to include hospice medical treatment with the natural development of health services for all patients who are terminally ill. Patients would not have to wait until the official physician determines in writing that the six months to live before they can receive hospice care.
Palliative care approach for the treatment of incurable diseases, it can give no matter how long the patient is expected to live, and while doctors are still searching for a cure. Relieving pain and other symptoms, palliative care hospice philosophy extends to the larger population that can be used earlier in the disease process. Ideally, it should precede all hospice care.
Tyler: What would you recommend people do to get started, if you are interested in professional hospice workers
?Frances: If people already know that the attraction of the hospice services to patients, I would suggest that this interest to the next level and speak to someone knowledgeable, or take a Hospice volunteer training class. This will give them a better understanding of what their friendship and commitment to service would mean. Some volunteers focus on bringing pet therapy visits to patients. Others do office work, fundraising and various activities that support the hospice operations.
Tyler: Frances, before we close, do you have any last comments you would like to discuss the importance of hospice care
?Frances: After a dignified death trip is right we all deserve. the odds of that happening are significantly increased when the end of life experiences are wrapped in a philosophy that supports the dying and their families with high-quality care.
Tyler: Thank you so much, Frances, for joining me today. Before we go, please let our readers know where you can get a copy of "Becoming Dead Right: Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes "?
Frances: Thank you for having me, Tyler. The book can be ordered online at Amazon.com, ordered from other libraries, and find a local independent mind / body / spirit book stores. Reviews, excerpts, and other information about the book can be found on my web page.
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