Even during a public health crisis, hospice and palliative care professionals rise to the challenge of providing compassionate, person-centered care in the community. Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire exemplifies #hapcFacesofCaring by granting a patient’s wish for greenery.
At 77 years old, Barbara strongly values her independence and describes herself as having a gypsy soul. She has a deep spiritual appreciation for nature and has lived successfully in the woods of southern Vermont for much of her life. Barbara lives alone and has chronic lung disease.
Due to her worsening condition, Barbara is unable to do many of the things she used to love, one of those things being gardening. When asked what makes her happy, Barbara answered, "Flowers and gardening." She lit up while describing all of the vegetables she would love to plant and all the flowers she enjoys looking at.
With the goal of bringing Barbara's life some joy and beauty, three members of her care team volunteered their time to spend the day planting flowers outside of her home and potting flowers for her to admire while sitting in her favorite chair on her enclosed porch. Now, everywhere she looks, Barbara is surrounded by beautiful flowers.
"She was the most vibrant I've seen her in a long time," said her spiritual care counselor, Heidi. "Barbara was able to join in something that brought joy to her whole being." Barbara thanked them all over and over for what they had done for her.
"Through a long life of hardship and pain, Barbara has learned to survive and adapt to whatever happens," said Patty, a hospice volunteer. "Her strength, courage, and smile have captured my heart."
If you would like to share the creative ways your hospice and palliative care team is caring for patients amid the COVID-19 crisis, please send us your photos and stories so you can be featured in the #hapcFacesOfCaring campaign.
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