Need for more supportEach visit, the doctor would tell me people should

i am a health care professional working in the community.  About two years ago,  I took my mom into my home, as she was dying.   We had equipment, but only one hour of psw service.  I had to fight for nursing. When we needed something, I had to call an ambulance and take her to the ER, as the nurses weren’t able to make emergency visits. Each visit, the doctor would tell me my mom shouldn’t die at home, she should die 8n the hospital, disrespecting her wishes. I had to fight for her right to die at home.  She had a symptom relief kit, but on her last day, no one would use, as no one recognized she was dying,  she died in pain, and after a weekend of delirium and anxiety.  This fueled a passion for pallliative care.  

What I noticed is that services are hit or miss.   Some get a nurse practioner, some don’t.  Some get more than one hour of psw services, some only once or twice a week,  some get occupational therapy for comfort and safety,  some don’t.  It seems to depend on geography, and the services provided by the Lhin.   Sometimes people want to die at home, but are taken to hospital in distress and are admitted.  I think there should be funding for emergency in home visits to deal with symptoms, ie by a doctor, nurse, or nurse practioner,  There seems to be a lack of knowledge base,  I have found it hard to find appropriate contuining education.   All disciplines should be involved in palliative care, and education should be geared to everyone.  i truly want more knowledge.  

Lastly, because my mom only qualified for one hour of psw, I lived for the times hospice could visit.  This is vastly underfunded, relying on fundraising.   Not all needs are medical, sometimes the family needs an hour to shower, or run errands, help with housework or little things.  In my area, some services  are provided by a social worker, who provides advice on coping, planning, and bereavement.   Palliative care does not stop with the death.

Death should be a dignifiedexperience, supported by the government.  Because of my experience, I want to truly support those who are dying and their caregivers.  I want access to be more uniform And universal, and not based on a lhins funding requirements.  I want professional caregivers to have more knowledge and supplies to properly do their jobs