TO BE HOME

"Evelyn", ninety years old, fell four days ago and sustained a right knee injury. She was walking into the kitchen when she tripped and tumbled to the floor. In the past year, Evelyn has been needing more help with her daily needs as was becoming weaker and a bit confused. Her three children, who all live locally, rotate taking turns to care for their mother so she is never alone.

Evelyn has always worked hard and did things the best way she knew how. The family has been processing this rapid change and decline since the fall. The hospital made a referral to hospice for support upon Evelyn's discharge to home. The hospice nurse and I met the family in the hospital. Evelyn was lying sound asleep in her bed. She looked so frail and appeared to be imminent.

 Evelyn has been eating and drinking very little while in the hospital. The family said that they are seeing a daily decline. As we spoke about hospice, it became clear that the children knew that mom just wanted to be home. All three of them were so lovingly focused on meeting their mother's needs. 

The children wanted to know how much time their mom had left. In hospice, when we get asked that question, we have no answer. I told them that mom will do it her way. I said she may have just days to a week or so. I shared with them that she may peacefully let go once she is home.

In hospice, we are so privileged to experience and witness patients doing their life and death their way. People die the way they live. It was so beautiful to see Evelyn's children focusing on helping their mother the way they knew she would want for it to be.

 TO BE HOME

She turned ninety a few months ago.

A quiet family gathering to celebrate her years.

She has worked hard during her life.

Focusing always on what needed to be done.

In these recent years, she's become a bit weaker; 

needing a little more help each day. 

Her three children all take care of her; 

rotating hours so she is never alone. 

Four days ago she fell walking into the kitchen. 

Her right knee became swollen causing her pain. 

She went to the emergency room for treatment. 

Not broken, but she'll need time for it to heal. 

The family worried about caring for her at home. 

Her discharge from the hospital dependent on that. 

Each day she's weaker, more confused; not eating. 

She's become non-verbal with this rapid decline. 

The family agreed to hospice. 

They know she just wants to be home. 

We did the paperwork in the hospital. 

The nurse to meet up again when she discharges to home. 

The family asked for a Catholic priest to come visit her. 

They all now realize that her time is short. 

Our chaplain spoke to the local Parish Priest. 

He came out for The Sacrament of the Sick. 

She arrived home mid afternoon. 

Hours later she was gone. 

It became so obvious to all 

that she just wanted to be home;

       in order to peacefully let go. 

Her way; 

    her time; 

         in her own home.