Once a quarter I host Breakfast with Beth and Ross (Director of Operations) at our office. It is a time where staff can come and feel safe to ask questions or make comments. Managers are not included and any topic is fair game. Open and honest discussion is encouraged. One of the questions at our last breakfast was “Are you afraid of dying?” Good ice breaker!
My answer was absolutely not! I went on to say that working in hospice has taught me the importance of saying “I love you” and/ or “I’m sorry” as I feel them, because you never know what tomorrow will bring. For this reason, I am a big advocate of Advanced Directives and having those end-of-life conversations earlier and often. Baby boomers are turning 65 every day and end-of-life conversations are becoming more essential. While we would like to believe our primary Physician will introduce and lead the conversation, my observation has seen that for one reason or another that is rarely the case.
Today, National Healthcare Decision Day is a perfect day to start that conversation. It is so much easier if it is done before it HAS to be done. It is a gift you can give your loved ones. Don’t procrastinate… Hoffmann Hospice has staff that can help initiate and facilitate this important conversation so everyone can be on the same page when they need to be. Just give us a call (661)410-1010.
