PCHPCA: Hospice is about living

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association (PCHPCA) and other programs across the country are reaching out to raise awareness.

This year’s theme is “It’s About How You Live,” a message that underscores the reality that hospice and palliative care are about how people choose to live with serious illness or during their final months.

“The challenge of a serious illness is to remain optimistic and realistic, both at the same time,” said Elaine Peck, the director of the PCHPCA.

A person with a serious illness will have good days and bad days. But even a terminal diagnosis does not mean that days are filled with hopelessness. Hope is always available. People just need to know how to look for it.

The PCHPCA offers the following ideas to add more hope and life during this time:

1. Enjoy simple pleasures such as glorious fall trees, a beautiful sunset, favorite music, yummy food and laughing with friends.

2. Strive for realistic goals. What’s on the “bucket list?” Is there anything that really stands out? It does not have to be big or challenging - just meaningful. Perhaps it is going to a loved one’s wedding or seeing a grandchild graduate. Maybe there is a place to revisit, a project to complete or a rift in a relationship to mend. Having goals and doing things a person enjoys provide a sense of purpose.

3. Talk to the doctor about goals and what might be feasible. It may be realistic to meet a goal if treatments are paced in a certain way or other modifications can be made.

4. Get support from hospice. Some people mistakenly think hospice is about giving up hope. Hospice brings together a team of health professionals to help a patient achieve realistic goals. In many studies, the support of the hospice team not only improves quality of life, it actually seems to help people live longer.

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association is a nonprofit, charitable organization that has joined national, state and community efforts to increase the quality of the end-of-life experience for patients, loved ones, caregivers and the health-care community in Putnam County.

PCHPCA is partially supported by the Putnam County Community Foundation and the Putnam County Hospital.

For additional information, contact Director Elaine Peck at contact.us@pchpca.org or visit www.pchpca.org.