Hospice Hawaii helps child, family deal with end of life

By Ira Zunin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 29, 2011

~~<p>It is hard to imagine anything more painful than the death of a child. What parent would not willingly exchange places with their dying child if only they could? As a community, how can we best support children and their families at the end of life? According to Kenneth Zeri, president of Hospice Hawaii, it begins with a discussion about what is most important to the individual with a terminal illness. With training and practice, professionals can skillfully engage patient and family about their values and goals and learn how they want to spend their remaining time. Only when having this discussion in earnest can the health care team develop a care plan specific to the individual. While many people wish to fight on to the very end with all the tools of medical technology, most do not wish to spend their last days in a hospital. The majority would rather stay at home and be with loved ones.</p>
<table width="30%" align="right" class="infoboxright_table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<h4>UPCOMING CONFERENCE INFO</h4>
Hospice Hawaii is sponsoring a community talk by Dr. Ira Byock, one of the country's foremost palliative care physicians:
<p>» <strong>What</strong>: "The Best Care Possible Through the End of Life"<br />
» <strong>When</strong>: Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m.<br />
» <strong>Where</strong>: Oahu Country Club<br />
» <strong>Cost</strong>: Free<br />
» <strong>RSVP</strong>: Hospice Hawaii, 924-9255</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
~~

It is hard to imagine anything more painful than the death of a child. What parent would not willingly exchange places with their dying child if only they could? As a community, how can we best support children and their families at the end of life? According to Kenneth Zeri, president of Hospice Hawaii, it begins with a discussion about what is most important to the individual with a terminal illness. With training and practice, professionals can skillfully engage patient and family about their values and goals and learn how they want to spend their remaining time. Only when having this discussion in earnest can the health care team develop a care plan specific to the individual. While many people wish to fight on to the very end with all the tools of medical technology, most do not wish to spend their last days in a hospital. The majority would rather stay at home and be with loved ones. UPCOMING CONFERENCE INFO Hospice Hawaii is sponsoring a community talk by Dr. Ira Byock, one of the country's foremost palliative care physicians:

» What: "The Best Care Possible Through the End of Life" » When: Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. » Where: Oahu Country Club » Cost: Free » RSVP: Hospice Hawaii, 924-9255 Login for more...