Can anybody recommend a hospice counselor? We have a family member who has a terminal illness and, although not quite ready for hospice, are quite distressed and as a result our family is under an incredible amount of stress. They is beginning to have irrational outbursts that are frightening us. We need somewhere to turn.
COMMENT 211827
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2011-09-07 07:19 AM |
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steve jacobsen over at hospice has a real calming effect on people. i would try to talk to him...see what he says. feel for you....
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COMMENT 211828
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2011-09-07 07:20 AM |
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A good place to start for advice and help is the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA.)
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COMMENT 211832P
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2011-09-07 07:28 AM |
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Visiting Nurse/Hospice of Santa Barbara They were wonderful when we lost my grandpa. Compassionate, informative and reassuring
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COMMENT 211838
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2011-09-07 07:37 AM |
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VNA - Could not have made it through without them when my mother was at that point.
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COMMENT 211839P
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2011-09-07 07:37 AM |
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I also recommend VNA as a starting point. They're the nicest people over there and they have a really vast amount of local resources, even beyond themselves that they can help with. I'm really sorry to hear about your family member. That's tough.
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EDHATBARBARA
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2011-09-07 07:59 AM |
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There are two Hospice organizations in Santa Barbara. VNA-Hospice is the medical arm and Hospice of Santa Barbara is the counseling arm. Both offer wonderful assistance. For VNA-Hospice you'll need a doctor's referral and must meet some financial criteria; for Hospice of Santa Barbara there are no referrals required and they do not charge for their services, completely free. Call Hospice of Santa Barbara at: 563-8820 Call VNA-Hospice at: 965-5555
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COMMENT 211853
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2011-09-07 08:04 AM |
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I also must recommend the VNA, wonderful organization and they offered so much assistance to our family. My grandfather was able to pass away at home with family around him and not in a hospital with tubes all over him. They made necessary phone calls etc. afterward.
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COMMENT 211865
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2011-09-07 08:26 AM |
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I am so sorry for your pain. My mother died just 3 weeks ago but was gone by the time Hospice arrived. They still helped us with the grieving process. RIP Gail Rink. She was an angel on earth.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2011-09-07 09:25 AM |
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Yes, VNA is a very good starting point. I don't believe in angels, but I know that the people who work at VNA and Hospice are as close as you can get. My father could not have managed my mothers terminal illness without the compassion, care and love from VNA and ultimately, Hospice. Positive thoughts to you and your family as you go through this difficult process...the VNA and Hospice will make it much less stressful.
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COMMENT 211919
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2011-09-07 10:01 AM |
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Suzanne at Hospice is wonderful. I'm not sure if she's still there, I'm hoping she is; she helped me tremendously through my mom's death several years ago and I'd highly recommend her. :) Take care and God bless
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COMMENT 211928P
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2011-09-07 10:25 AM |
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Also, your family member's doctor should be providing resources and advice. I understand medicine is changing, and doctors have less time even when a loved one is dying, but decency dictates they at least provide their advice. If not, shame on them.
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COMMENT 212066
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2011-09-07 04:37 PM |
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Definitely, Hospice of SB, Were so helpful with my father in law during his terminal battle with cancer.
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COMMENT 212112
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2011-09-07 07:48 PM |
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Vnhcsb 965-5555 they have loads of experience and are very compassionate. They have counselors and nurses. Used to be VNA
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COMMENT 212156P
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2011-09-08 07:17 AM |
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not sure what the family circumstances are here, but for anyone dealing with the loss of a life partner ("spouse") I would highly recommend the peer support of widowed village.org, a website hosted by Simi Valley's Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. It is an excellent (and vetted) website dedicated to helping widows and widowers navigate the waters of post-loss grief. 5 Stars!
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ARCHIE
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2011-09-08 08:43 AM |
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Also at Hospice is a support group that uses writing to help discuss what is happening. It is run by Perie Longo. I hope all goes as well as possible with you and your family....
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COMMENT 212228
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2011-09-08 09:36 AM |
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My husband has a terminal illness, advanced Alzheimer's.
Our family doctor contacted visiting nurse and hospice and they have been wonderful. If your doctor orders this and your person has Medicare, it will be covered. They are the nicest, caring group of people that visit all the time.
Hospice ( non medical) offers grief counseling at no charge, so please contact them too. There is a lot of help available in our town, but you do need to ask for it.
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COMMENT 212281
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2011-09-08 11:42 AM |
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Do contact Hospice now. When my son was dying, they gave me invaluable information on dealing with my feelings and his, especially at the end. Stay strong. My heart goes out to you.
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COMMENT 212294
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2011-09-08 11:59 AM |
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I used both VNA and Hospice when my mother was terminal. VNA was helpful but was blown away by the level of service Hospice provided. A friend describe my experience going from dealing with the hospital to hospice as getting bumped from coach to first class which was in my opinion how it felt. All the nurses and counselors involved seemed to be the best of the best. A lot of money is donated to Hospice and its apparent by the level of care they provide. My mother was in Massachusetts so not sure if Hospice is different here but all her medications were covered once she was under the hospice umbrella. I also not sure if Hospice in Santa Barbara has a main center but my mother spent her last few days at the Hospice house and i could not speak more highly of the stress it took off the family to have nurses helping 24-7 allowing the family the time to spend with my mother without the worry of other things that come up during the very difficult time.
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COMMENT 212299
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2011-09-08 12:04 PM |
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Also one other thing that may help you family member not feeling ready for Hospice. Hospice is no longer just for people in their final days. They are available for some many different aspects of someone getting sick and support for their family. People start hospice and come off all the time for example someone dealing with cancer that may need help at different times of their sickness. All the counselors i dealt with said the biggest mistake people make is waiting until its too late with hospice. There isn't as much they can help with when someone is in their final days. Get started with them as soon as possible. It will be the best thing for both the person that is sick and your family.
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EDHATBARBARA
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2011-09-08 12:14 PM |
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There are two in-patient Hospice facilities here in Santa Barbara and lots of in-home assistance provided. You do not need to have a terminal diagnosis to obtain services from Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc. and there is assistance available for family members too -- counseling, bereavement services and much more. Check their website: http://www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org/ Mission: "Compassionate Care -- Freely Given"
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