Under the Umbrella

Today is National Umbrella Day! It’s a day to, ummm…celebrate? Ok, maybe not. Where I live, it’s always a good idea to have an umbrella handy. The weather is really unpredictable.

It probably seems like umbrellas don’t have anything to do with hospice care, but here’s a mental image for you. You’re standing in a downpour getting drenched. Someone you don’t know comes and covers you with an umbrella. The rain doesn’t stop and you don’t instantly dry out. The stranger might be invading your personal space. But you feel protected. You feel safe.

Here’s how hospice is like an umbrella.

Photo by Helen Bauer, The Heart of Hospice

Hospice professionals get close to patients, spending time with them in intimate settings and discussing things close to their hearts. We’re ok talking about the hard stuff. We say ‘death’, ‘dying’, ‘dead’. If you want to, we’ll help you talk about the “rain”, all those difficult things coming at you as you approach the end of your time here. The hospice team provides you with an umbrella of care – meds when you need/want them, equipment to keep you safe, and people to help you reflect, problem-solve, and identify what quality of life means to you.

Here’s the really cool part. If you don’t need or want the umbrella of all the care the hospice team can provide, we’re happy to step aside and let you feel the rain on your face. You might think it feels good. Maybe you’re still able to hold your own umbrella. Maybe walking or dancing in the rain is just your style.

We’ll be there when you’re ready. An end of life team is standing by to care, serve, cover, and protect you.

We can’t stop your death from coming, but if you ask, we’re going to stand close when you need it the most. We’re not scared of the rain. We’re made of some pretty gritty stuff. And we’re happy to hold the umbrella of end of life care over you and the ones you love until you don’t need it any more.