Hospice and Palliative Care Teams Rise to the Challenge

Hospice and palliative care teams are continuing to find creative ways to provide care and comfort to the patients and families they serve. NHPCO is honored to share their stories and faces through our #hapcFacesOfCaring social media campaign. We have received over 100 submissions online and many hospice programs are sharing their photos on their social media platforms and using the hashtag to ensure that they are a part of this campaign which was created to highlight those on the front lines who are providing care despite the challenges the world is facing amid COVID-19. 

Hospice care is comfort care, a holistic model that allows people into your personal space at your most vulnerable phase of life. COVID-19 has created a new reality for hospice and palliative care workers as they deliver care under new restrictions and a heavy layer of protective equipment. Some may worry that the personal touch hospice is known for will diminish because of these barriers. But the photos we have received through #hapcFacesOfCaring tell a different story. They show hospice and palliative care teams doing what they have always done – rise to the challenge and provide comfort, joy, and care to their patients and families no matter the circumstances.  

Rhonda, an AseraCare patient, wanted to celebrate her birthday with her husband. With the help of the Dreamweaver Foundation and AseraCare, Rhonda was gifted balloons, flowers, and dinner, and was able to spend time with her husband, even if it was behind glass. 

Willamette Valley Hospice posted this great photo on Instagram of one of their music therapists. They write, “Recently, music therapist Jessica and spiritual counselor Lori visited a patient outside her window to play her a song on her birthday to remind her how much they care.” 

We have received many photos of pet therapy happening from the other side of the window. The pet is normally of the canine persuasion.  Three Rivers Hospice South based in Montana, wanted to do something a little different for their patients at a local facility. They were surprised with two beautiful horses who greeted them at their windows.   

Hospice and palliative care teams are making sure their patients and families are cared for; they are also making sure their own teams, including their volunteers, are safe and well. We have seen beautiful examples of teams going above and beyond for one another. 

Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo volunteer coordinator Lisa Nestico asked staff to submit a photo of themselves with their coworkers, family, or pets to show appreciation to their volunteers. She writes, “Many of our volunteers have been expressing their concern for our frontline staff, so part of this was to show our volunteers that our staff is doing well and the other part was so they can see how much our staff appreciates and misses them.” 

Please continue to share your photos with NHPCO. We want to tell your stories and share with the world what hospice and palliative care is truly about – caring for each other even during unprecedented and challenging times.