End-of-Life Care

Our Personal Experience with End-of-Life Care

We understand that end-of-life is both and emotionally and physically challenging time for the client and their family caregivers. Our owners, Steve & Sharon Morris experienced these challenges first-hand with the passing of Sharon’s 93-year old father, Dale. Through their personal experience, Steve & Sharon recognized the need for professional and compassionate caregiving during the last stages of life. It inspired them to start up their own caregiving agency, Right at Home Northwest.

Dale was on Hospice

During his last days, Dale would receive visits from a Hospice nurse or social worker, which was great, but for the other 23 hours a day, the load of the caregiving fell onto the shoulders of the family. In this case that task fell on his spouse, Moyna, Sharon’s 88-year old mother with mild dementia. Helping attend to Dale’s needs while keeping him company was a round-the-clock task. It’s hard to be the supportive spouse when you are overwhelmed with the things that needed doing.

Mobilizing a Care Support Team

Sharon and Steve took time off work to travel from Singapore to her parent’s home in Virginia to provide whatever assistance they could to both Moyna and Dale. Sharon’s two brothers pitched in as well. Eventually, these arrangements took their toll on everyone. What we longed for was the opportunity to be Dale’s emotional and spiritual companions; his daughter, his son-in-law, and his family member first, his caregivers second. Besides, we would not be able to put our careers on hold indefinitely. We reached out to the local Right at Home office for help.

Family First and Compassionate Care

With the help of a professional and compassionate caregiver, the family could get the respite they needed from caregiving and could instead focus their energies on their other role as son, daughter, husband, or wife.

Building the Bridge of Hospice Support

• We carefully match our trained caregivers to our clients to ensure appropriate physical, spiritual, emotional and social support.
• We advocate for the client by keeping their best interests in mind with respect to their wishes.
• We promote a restful and comfortable environment by encouraging peaceful interactions with friends and family.
• We work to ensure the most comfortable environment.
• We provide support to clients wherever they call home.

Our Vision for End-of-Life Care

Compassionate Support
Providing compassionate physical and emotional support to the client and family.

Compassionate Support
Respecting the unique goals of each client and family.

Competent Care
Recognizing client needs – offering comfort and competent care.

What is the role of the professional caregiver?

• Following a collaborative care plan designed by the hospice care manager
• Knowing who makes up the hospice team
• Communicating with the hospice team
• Reporting the client’s physical changes
• Understanding the special needs of clients with chronic and terminal illnesses
• Helping with laundry, groceries, and light housekeeping
• Bathing and other personal services
• Conducting medication reminder and safety supervision
• Planning and preparing meals