The things that make me different are the things that make me. – Winnie the Pooh
There’s a lot of wisdom in Pooh’s statement. We’re each made up of elements that make us uniquely us. Not good. Not bad. Just different.
Hospice professionals are taught to look at each patient as a person. We are to look beyond lifestyle or choices or labels to provide compassionate care. Are we actually doing that?
Every person has biases. We can’t help it – it’s inherent to who we are as humans. Is it possible for end of life clinicians to eliminate those labels that we use to define patients, and just care for the people?
The Heart of Hospice 2020 by Helen Bauer
In this time of national conversation about differences and diversity, I would encourage hospice professionals of every discipline to examine their biases toward the people to whom they provide care. Listen to how you talk about patients and their family members in your team meetings.
Look at your own biases. See beyond the labels.
They were people before they were patients. They have names, not just diagnoses. Each person to whom you provide care had a life before he or she had an illness. He is more than the sum of his choices. She has wisdom that didn’t come from education. They deserve love and respect from their caregivers, regardless of history, spirituality, color, or culture.
If you’re part of a hospice team, use this time of heightened social awareness to take a good look at yourself. Your patients deserve that consideration.
The things that make them different make them who they are.
Thanks, Pooh.
No matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.