Compass Communications

Story and photos by Lisa Rowell

Kim Huddleston, CNA, has been a hospice nurse for 15 years (with more than 21 year’s overall experience as a nurse). As part of Hospice of Lake Cumberland’s field staff, her work generally takes place in people’s homes. 

Kim is one of many caring nurses employed by the organization which serves a seven-county area including Pulaski, Casey, Russell, Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne, and McCreary counties. 

Based in Somerset, Hospice of Lake Cumberland provides services for people wherever they call home. That could mean a person’s or loved one’s house, an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or a hospital setting. “Wherever our patients call home is where we’ll meet them,” said Michelle Whitaker, volunteer coordinator. 

Hospice is a service that comes to the patient, with a focus on physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs, offering peace, comfort, and dignity in the face of life-limiting illness. 

The one thing Hospice care is not, is giving up. It’s about making every moment count. That’s something Kim is very familiar with. “We do what’s best for the patient and the family. They are in charge of their care plan,” Kim said. 

Kim said she and her fellow hospice employees and volunteers work very well as a team for the sake of the patient. This team includes the physician, the hospice medical director, nurses, social workers and counselors, chaplains, and hospice aides. 

“It’s very holistic,” Michelle said. “We encompass all factors of life if that’s what the family wants.” Kim added that the care they provide for patients is regardless of culture, beliefs or age. 

Michelle added, “We can’t affect the outcome but we can make a difference in the journey.” 

As for Kim and her work with hospice, she said, “I feel like God’s put me here. It warms my heart to know that I have been able to help someone in their last days and see them smile.”

During her home visits, Kim explained that no matter what the situation, she takes the time needed to be there for her patients. “It doesn’t matter if it takes an hour or two hours for that visit. Our main priority is taking care of that patient and making sure they’re comfortable.”

Kim said, “We want to help not just the patient, but the family members and give them support.” She and Michelle both said this could come in the form of bringing extra food, volunteers helping, a grocery store run, assisting with celebrations or outings, or a host of other tasks or creature comforts.   

“There’s a lot more to our services than just pain medicine,” Kim explained, adding that they also provide supplies and every day needs such as mobility assistance items. 

Michelle added that the community support they receive is a huge component in what they are able to do for families. Hospice of Lake Cumberland has several fund raisers throughout the year, in addition to relying on donations (such as sheets and towels, unscented wipes, unopened supplies, or general care items), and help from their volunteers. There is also an Amazon wish list on the organization’s facebook page (facebook.com/@hospicelc).

Michelle said anyone can make a referral to hospice. It doesn’t need to come only from a physician. Hospice care is available for all patients with a terminal illness, during the last six months of life or less, regardless of age. Each plan of care is tailored to the individual’s needs. Hospice care is about treating the person, not the condition. 

What is palliative care?

Unlike hospice care, in which the condition is no longer being treated, palliative care tends to the needs of individuals who are receiving curative treatment for their illness. This care includes decreasing pain and increasing comfort through administering medication, advising therapies, and assisting patients while they manage their illness.

While palliative care is not intended to cure a specific illness, this type of care is focused on reducing pain, and relieving stress and anxiety. Patients in palliative care still receive their regular treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or dialysis.

While palliative care falls under the umbrella of hospice care services, it is not hospice and can be administered on its own. One does not need a terminal diagnosis to receive palliative care.

Jean Waddle Care Center

In addition to home care, those who choose hospice can receive care if they are in a nursing home or at the hospital. The Jean Waddle Care Center is comprised of eight rooms on the fourth floor of Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. The space is leased by Hospice of Lake Cumberland. The suites on the unit are comfortable and inviting. Staff is available 24/7, keeping patients and their families as comfortable as possible while providing round-the-clock monitoring. 

Upon first entering the Jean Waddle Care Center from the elevator, the wall of plants in memory of former patients sets the tone for the warmth of the entire unit. The hallways are adorned with donated paintings, quilts, and photographs. There is a family waiting area with all the comforts of home, including snacks. The rooms are designed for visitors and overnight stays. Within a few steps of each room, is the nurses station.

Amanda Noe, RN, is the charge nurse on the unit. Lydia Moore, RN, is the liaison between the unit and the hospital. They, along with their fellow nurses, hold vigil over those in their care, making sure their patients are as physically and emotionally comfortable as possible. 

Similar to those in home care, patients in this special hospital setting may have been referred by a physician. 

Lydia, who has been a hospice nurse for 30 years, has been with the unit from its inception. She said Jean Waddle was a former patient whose husband, Cy, made a donation to help start the unit at the hospital twelve years ago. 

Amanda said they are very appreciative of the space to serve the community. She was a travel nurse prior to coming to the unit, along with her husband Aaron, who  is a now a Lifeline home health nurse. She’s been with the hospice unit for six years. 

“I’ve always wanted to do hospice care,” Amanda said. “I’ve been the charge nurse and managing the unit for two years now. My focus has been to train staff to really hone in on and understand that this is one of the most important times of our lives. We cannot do this over. We’ve got to do it right the first time.”

Amanda said the nurses are often able to pick up on subtle cues from the patient and family members in order to help them process things that are happening. “The patients know when their families are suffering,” she said, adding that it’s not uncommon for a family to be with a patient for days on end, then for the patient to pass when the family takes a moment away from the room. 

“Not everything is textbook or in our hands,” Amanda said about being able to gauge where a patient is at any given moment. For hospice nurses, it’s as much about caring for those family members as it is the patients. “If you have one patient with four family members, you have five patients.” 

“If there’s nothing else that can be done to better their condition, and they need hospice care, they are entrusting us with their care.” Amanda added it’s both special and humbling to know someone has entrusted you with their family member’s care. 

“We’re going to do everything we can to make their loved one comfortable. We’ll treat their physical pain. We’ll try to meet their emotional needs, their spiritual needs. We’re also going to be there to support them. They are not going to be alone through this process. There is always something we can do.” Amanda said. She added that the role of hospice care is not to hasten death but to provide care and comfort during the transition.

The rooms are comfortable and quiet. The unit fosters a home environment where the family is welcomed to be together, including the family pets. “People can have quality time together,” Amanda said. “Even if the patient is unresponsive, the family can be together and talk about moments they’ve had with their loved one.” 

Education is a big part of what hospice nurses do in helping the families understand what is physically happening to their loved one at any given moment and comforting them. “This is a part of life. This is how we’re designed.” 

Amanda said they never rush loved ones or put time limits on them once a family member has passed on the unit. They take great care in honoring those moments. “This might be the last place they see their loved one.” ν

More information: hospicelc.org.