Angel Wings Spotlight Series Part 2

3. In what ways do you bring comfort to end-of-life patients? What are some of the day-to-day and emotional challenges you encounter — and how do you overcome them?

My routine includes going to the patient’s home, checking the vital signs, doing medication reconciliation and assessing and managing patient’s symptoms. I also check in on family members and caregivers to find out how they are coping emotionally and physically.

It can get emotional when family members witness their loved one passing away, or when patients chose to go to a healthcare institution so as not to burden their children even though their wish is to stay at home. When one devotes their all to care for a patient, it can lead to burnout often and easily. So it really helps when you have your team mates supporting you. There is daily handover when I can share the difficulties I’ve had with certain cases. Food is also a great source of comfort and way to de-stress for me especially when I am doing home visits.

As a nurse in a hospice, my mindset is different. Instead of curative treatment, my role is to help patients leave peacefully by meeting their unique physical, emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual needs through holistic palliative care.

4. Can you share a memorable experience/story you've had with a patient at Dover Park Hospice?

I had two patients whom I will forever remember. I journeyed with them from the time they were first diagnosed when they were able to walk, but later become bed-bound. Both patients never failed to bring joy to me whenever I visited them, and they treated me like their grandchild. Even when they were in pain or out of breath, they always put on a cheerful and brave front. I was very sad when they passed on and will never forget the trust and faith they had in me.