One of the common myths about hospice is that it’s a place. That’s not true! The reality is that hospice is provided wherever a person calls home. Private homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes – end of life teams go wherever they’re needed to care for their patients.
There are facilities that provide care designed specifically for hospice patients but they’re typically used for a symptom crisis (like severe shortness of breath or uncontrolled pain) that can’t be managed in the patient’s home.
Because hospice providers go to where the need is, that can mean a lot of travel, a lot of “windshield time”. Hospice administrators and managers might travel, too, moving between offices or regions to provide supervision of several sites.
It’s easy to think that traveling in a car or a plane doesn’t really have much affect on the body, but it does. Sitting behind the wheel or in a airplane seat carries its own burden. Travel is pretty much a sedentary activity. According to the Mayo clinic, numerous health problems are associated with a lifestyle that includes extended times of sitting ( https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005 ).
Because of the negative affects of travel, hospice professionals have to design a Self Care regimen that includes healthy habits to combat that “travel fatigue”. In my travel for work, I’ve learned what helps me when I’m on the road. Here are some ideas that you could try:
Photo by Helen Bauer, The Heart of Hospice
for mind – podcasts, audio books, audio TED talks
for spirit – deep breathing, phone calls to connect with family or colleagues to debrief/decompress, listen to your favorite music
for body – avoid the pitfalls of fast food convenience, eat clean when you can, avoid caffeine, drink plenty of water, bring your own snacks/meals, NO smoking, consistent workout breaks
If you’re flying, plan ahead by packing some healthy snacks. Bring along a bottle to fill at a water fountain once you get through security, or purchase some water when you get to your gate. Here are some additional tips for staying healthy when you’re flying. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/want-to-stay-healthy-while-flying-follow-this-advice-from-an-aviation-doctor/2018/08/08/41c3bdd2-90e5-11e8-8322-b5482bf5e0f5_story.html )
Whether your commutes involve planes, subways, cars, or trains, we hope you create a Self Care regimen that meets your needs and keeps you healthy.
Keeping your Self healthy will make you a better provider for your patients, but it also makes you a better you.
Remember, no matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.