VNS Health Hospice Care hosted its second free seminar at the Flushing Community Center on the 15th, encouraging the Chinese community to openly discuss end-of-life issues. The seminar was led by practicing nurse Pan Weiyi from VNS Health Hospice Care, covering topics such as dispelling 10 misconceptions about hospice care and recognizing signs and symptoms of approaching death.
Nurse Pan Weiyi pointed out that many people have misunderstandings about hospice care, leading to missed opportunities for receiving services. She provided explanations for common misconceptions:
Misconception 1: Hospice care is only for people in their final days of life. Fact: Hospice care is provided for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to have less than six months to live. Receiving hospice care early can help stabilize the condition.
Misconception 2: End-of-life care patients must sign a “Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)” order. Fact: Signing a DNR is not required to receive hospice care.
Misconception 3: Hospice care is only for the elderly. Fact: Anyone with a terminal illness, regardless of age, can receive hospice care.
Misconception 4: Hospice patients are heavily sedated and always sleeping. Fact: Pain management is a primary goal, and medication doses are adjusted according to the level of pain.
Misconception 5: Hospice care is only for the patient. Fact: Hospice care is a family-centered approach, providing support for both the patient and their family.
Misconception 6: Hospice care is only for cancer patients. Fact: Hospice care also serves patients with other chronic illnesses.
Misconception 7: Hospice care hastens death. Fact: Hospice care does not accelerate death; in fact, it may prolong life.
Pan Weiyi also discussed the signs and symptoms indicating a patient is nearing death, such as increased sleep, lowered blood pressure, decreased body temperature, and difficulty breathing. She emphasized the importance of advance care planning, encouraging discussions about personal wishes with family and medical personnel before a medical crisis to ease the burden of decision-making on others.
The third hospice care community education seminar for the Chinese community will be held on June 20th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The session will be led by clinical social work supervisor Zhou Mi from Cancer Support Services at Mount Sinai Chelsea Medical Center, with the theme “The Cancer Journey is Not Alone: Life After Cancer Diagnosis.” For more details, please call VNS Health Flushing Community Center at 718-321-7695 or visit 136-52 39th Avenue, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.