Hospice can help

In Sunday's edition of Highlands Today, reporter Gary Pinnell wrote a moving piece about area residents who are balancing life with the very real challenges associated with caring for family members with advanced illnesses.

He detailed the continuous worry, all-encompassing care and loss of sleep and personal time the caregivers faced. We should all commend these caregivers for their supreme sacrifice in caring for their loved ones and look for ways that we can help our friends and neighbors who are in these types of circumstances.

However, I would also like to point out that in many cases, hospice can help relive the stressors that come with serious illnesses.

Yes, hospice provides the medical support a patient needs. But beyond that, hospice also provides healthcare professionals and trained volunteers who help address the social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.

The first call to hospice can be difficult. But Highlands County residents are fortunate to have outstanding hospice providers in our community with experienced professionals who can answer the tough questions that come with caring for someone with an advanced illness.

In my hospice career, I've lost track of the times family members have told me, I wish we would had called hospice sooner.

I encourage anyone who is dealing with or is caring for someone with a serious illness to make a call to hospice with your questions. You might be surprised at the answers.

Chris Bredbenner
Executive Director
Good Shepherd Hospice