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WELLSVILLE
– Frances Graves wants to spend her remaining days at
home.
In
the fall of 2008, Mrs. Graves, 87, was given a diagnosis
of terminal cancer. Her physician recommended the services
of HomeCare & Hospice.
“My
doctor said I had about six months to live and there were
two choices. I could go into a nursing home or have
hospice come in. She said hospice would keep me at home. I
said, ‘That’s what I want – I want to stay right
here,’” recalled the lifelong Wellsville resident.
The
Hospice program provides skilled nursing care, social
work, spiritual care, hospice aides and trained
volunteers, as well as pain and symptom control and
medical supplies related to terminal illness. The agency
focuses on quality of life. Medicare, Medicaid, most
private insurances, and public support, such as the United
Way, cover the cost.
Hospice
organizations across the country are honored this month,
which is National Hospice Month. Mrs. Graves is one of
about 1.4 million patients receiving hospice services
nationwide each year, according to the National Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization (NHCPO). According to a
Gallup/NHCPO survey, 9 out of 10 adult say they would
prefer to be cared for at home, if diagnosed with a
terminal illness.
A
year after her diagnosis, Mrs. Graves has good days and
bad days, but is still living independently in her senior
housing complex on Merriam Heights. She likes having the
choice of staying in bed in the morning or going
downstairs to chat with the neighbors.
“They
meet every morning at 9 a.m. for coffee. If I don’t show
up, my neighbor will come and bring me a cup and check on
me to make sure I’m all right, but I don’t have anyone
telling me when I have to get up or when to go bed,” she
added.
Mrs.
Graves does as much for herself as she can. She still gets
around with a walker or power chair and, while she
receives Meals on Wheels, does a little cooking now and
then. She observes, though, that she is slowing down.
“I
do a little bit and I get tired,” she said.
She
spent much of her life caring for her family. She and her
late husband, Richard, raised five children. She had to
adjust to letting other people help care for her.
Hospice
Aide Tammy Bucher comes three days a week and helps with
bathing, light housekeeping and laundry.
“She’s
a big help and I really appreciate her,” said Mrs.
Graves. “At first I didn’t want anyone to help shower
me, but then I got Tammy and I really felt comfortable
with her. She’s so good to me, so kind.”
Mrs.
Graves also receives regular visits from RN Care
Coordinator Lynn Moore.
“She
asks me how I feel and takes my blood pressure. We talk
about medication and what my pain is like. We like to chat
about our friends and talk about everything,” she said,
adding that she also enjoys the companionship of volunteer
Melissa Grantier.
Staying
at home with care and support from HomeCare & Hospice
allows Mrs. Graves to visit have her family in for visits.
“I
have four daughters and one son. My daughters all like to
come together and they bring some of their children. We
have a lot of fun,” she said.
She
credits her faith and a positive attitude for keeping her
going.
“There
are days when think I can’t do it anymore and then there
are days when I feel better. You
can’t sit around wondering when you’re going to die
– you’ll make yourself miserable. I don’t think it
will make anyone feel any better. My faith in God is the
biggest thing in my whole life. When you have that you can
be cheerful,” said Mrs. Graves.
She
added, “I’m glad I can be at home. I’m glad I have
hospice. They all care so much.”
For
more information on Hospice services, call 1-800-719-7129.
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