In her 2018 Golden Globes speech, Oprah Winfrey said, “What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” This is especially true when your health is at stake. Your medical team can’t give you all the help you need if they can’t see the full picture.
Patient-centered care – putting the patient and the family at the heart of every decision and empowering them to take control of their health journey – is a fundamental value at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care. The key is open communication and an ongoing dialogue between patients, families, and the healthcare team.
While the debate over healthcare reform echoes throughout the country, the hospice and palliative care industry is moving towards the next decade with a set of its own goals. “This is not about healthcare reform,” says Dr. Timothy Ihrig, Chief Medical Officer for Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care. “The electric light was not created with the improvement of candles. Ergo, it’s not about healthcare needing to reform. We need to reform how we care.”
Perry Como’s “Home for the Holidays” is a classic for good reason. Every line evokes a longing for a traditional holiday at home with loved ones. This can be particularly meaningful when one of those loved ones is facing a serious illness.
Even if a patient has had suspicions that their nagging pain or lingering illness has deeper implications, an actual diagnosis of a serious illness can send their mind reeling. It’s normal to have an emotional response to a serious diagnosis. It’s also normal for a patient to miss some of the doctor’s explanation as they cope with this new information.
“Remember, you can do it!” “Keep good thoughts and a positive attitude.” Those are words of wisdom to other seniors and their families who are considering hospice from 92-year-old Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care patient Dene Liott of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, a well-known local TV talk show host and advocate for senior citizens and issues of aging.
