Amy Baird, LCSW (she/her)Had a very meaningful visit in the home of one of my community based palliative care patients. This person has a very limited prognosis and is hoping for life prolongation with current treatment. Tearful visit for them and their spouse as they grapple with when to change focus.
They are not ready now and also aware that the time for a change in focus is coming sooner than they would like. Our team is seeing them frequently. At any rate, this patient suddenly stopped and said, “Oh my god! How are you going to have a good Christmas!?!”
I was a little taken aback because this seemed to come out of nowhere. They then said, “How can you have a good holidays talking to people who have horrible stuff going on in their lives?”
I shared with them how having meaningful work really helps with life satisfaction and my work gives me a realistic view of my own mortality so that I focus on enjoying my family, friends, pets, etc. for my fellow #hapc folks how would you respond to this from a patient? #eolcare #endoflifetalks