What Being a Hospice Nurse means To Me

As a nurse I have worked in critical care, mental health, long term, medical surgery, school nursing and case management, but none has been as rewarding as my current position with Hospice of Palm Beach County. As a Hospice nurse, I am charged with caring for patients at their end-of-life. I am able to watch the peaceful process of dying and able to console a grieving family.

To me, there are two important events in a person’s life, their birth and their death. As a rule when we are born there is someone other than our mother to bear witness and support our grand entrance into this world. On the other hand, many people might not have any significant others to bear witness to the second most important event in their life, their death.

Consequently I cannot think of a more important reason to be a Hospice nurse, than having the privilege of bearing witness to the peaceful dying process of a fellow human being and their grieving family. No other person does what a Hospice nurse does for the dying patient. And always, my feelings are the same, the mixed feeling of gratitude and awe to bear witness to the second most important event in a person’s life.

~ Lester Bavegehims is the Continuous Care Manager, Hospice of Palm Beach County

A Caregiver Story - Steve Macht

Dotte Macht was a devoted wife and mother, and golf champion. A single digit handicap golfer, she achieved several club championships and three holes-in-one. Dotte was an independent, feisty, no-frills woman who loved her family, sports and giving back to her community.

Having raised their family in Coral Gables, Dotte and Bob Macht moved to the Northern Palm Beaches when Bob retired in the late 1980’s. They remained very close with their children who were then living in other states - speaking every day, visiting often and vacationing together.

Their close family was dealt a tragic blow when Bob died from a sudden cardiovascular event. After forty-nine years of marriage, the trauma of losing her husband and best friend was a setback that Dotte never truly recovered from. It marked the beginning of he

r journey into Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, this stoic family matriarch became disoriented, which distressed her. Her children took turns caring for Dotte in Florida and eventually got her to accept having full-time nursing care in her home as her needs increased.

A few years after her husband’s death, Dotte had a series of strokes, which dramatically accelerated her descent into Alzheimer’s. This prompted her son, Steve, to move into her home so he could supervise her care. Fortunately, as a business consultant, he had the freedom to transfer his business operations to Florida.

As Dotte became increasingly dependent, Steve became less comfortable leaving her for more than an hour or two at a time. He eventually began to feel the effects of stress on his own health as he struggled to manage her care in addition to his own business interests.

When she was hospitalized after a stroke, Dotte’s neurologist recommended that the family call Hospice of Palm Beach County. He assured them that Hospice would offer excellent care right in her own home, where she would be the most comfortable. ”I thought hospice was only called in for the last few days of life. I had no idea that they could help us. Boy, was I wrong!” Steve remarked.

“We all felt such a sense of ease as soon as we were in Hospice’s care. We had a team of medical experts who were always there for us,”Steve added. Hospice was constantly assessing any changes and responding to them so Steve no longer had to worry about anything falling through the cracks that could impact Dotte’s health. “We felt totally confident that she was receiving the best possible care. I cannot express the relief that brought to all of us,” continued Steve.

“Suddenly, there was this guardian of care around my mother. They took care of all of us. Every person on Mom’s Hospice team was professional, compassionate and truly cared about her as a person.” added Steve. “Their care was so gentle, respectful - almost reverent. This loving care enabled her to regain her dignity, which was incredibly important to her.”

Before Hospice entered her life, Dotte was shutting down. It was Hospice that gave her the encouragement to go forward. “Hospice helped Mom expand her horizons and keep going. They gave her the sense that each day of her life was worthwhile and wonderful. This restored her hope and brought her a wonderful sense of peace,” Steve added.

“It was an extraordinary experience to see my mother relax, let go and enjoy the last months of her life. Thanks to Hospice, they were filled with peace and joy,” Steve concluded.