Total family support with SSM Health at Home’s Hospice Care

When Scott’s kidney cancer returned, his brother, Chip, knew his level of care would have to change. Scott’s family cared for him the best way they could, but with the demands of work and family life, Scott needed more.

“I knew that we weren’t able to take care of him the way he needed to be cared for,” said Chip. “Scott actually suggested we call SSM Health at Home, and that’s when his story changed.”

Nurses from SSM Health at Home initially provided palliative care under the SSM Health at Home, Home Health program for symptom management. Scott and his family were so happy with the level of care they had been receiving, they were relieved to have the continuity of care when Scott transitioned to SSM Health at Home Hospice.

“I have never seen hospice care before at the level that they provided,” Chip observed.

The hospice team took care of Scott’s every need, making him comfortable however they could. At one point, Chip describes his brother being very unsettled, but no one could figure out why. After several checks, one nurse found that the sun was shining on Scott at a strange angle. She repositioned the blinds to let the light shine into the room but not directly on Scott.

“You just saw Scott ease in and relax every time the nurses were around. He knew they would take the very best care of him, and they knew what he needed,” said Chip.

Anxiety tended to creep up in the room every now and then. Chip and Scott had lost both parents and another brother in the recent past, all of whom died in the ICU.

“After experiencing all the losses I have, I watched my brother Scott and felt so overwhelmingly satisfied with how he was transitioning. It filled our whole family with peace,” said Chip.

The hospice team talked to Scott constantly, reassuring him that he was being cared for, reminding him of who was in the room, and telling him that it was okay to pass on and let go. Scott worked hard his whole career and fought cancer even harder. Chip said he was so relieved to see how relaxed and at ease the nurses made his brother feel.

“They couldn’t have done a better job of taking him through to the very end. If I could choose, that’s the care I want for the end of my life as well,” said Chip.

On Scott’s last day, Chip was happy to see that hospice nurses cleaned him up and changed his clothes. They took care of everything so that the family could focus on having peace and closure. After Scott died, the hospice team supported his family in making arrangements according to his wishes. Chip explained how grateful he was to have such thorough care.

“Those nurses are taking care of the whole family as well as the patient. It was a wonderful care experience.”

For more information about home health resources available, visit SSM Health at Home.