New Year's Eve

            Have you seen the movie, “New Year’s Eve”? This romantic comedy, from the director of Valentine’s Day and Pretty Woman, relates to all walks of life. Here is how it relates to hospice care. There are two great things about the movie:

       1.      There is a mention of hospice: In the movie hospice is portrayed as the people who come to be with patients at the very end of life which is true, however hospice is more than that. Hospice services are actually available for terminally ill patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less. Even though hospice can be a longer term healthcare option than portrayed in the movie, it is wonderful to see it mainstream. Hospice today is more often recognized as a healthcare option, which it should be. With the ability to care for patients for a longer period of time than most think, the hospice team can get symptoms and pain under control and enhance the quality of life for patients and help them be with their family and loved ones in the time that is left.

2.      The message: New Year’s Eve the movie is about hope. Hope for all things in life that seem so far away. For example, when Hilary Swank, playing Claire Morgan, Vice-President of the Times Square Alliance, says when the ball gets stuck, that it is a representation of stopping all the craziness in our lives to reflect on what we have been blessed with and what we will be blessed with in the new year. Or when Zac Efron as Paul helps Michelle Pfeiffer as Ingrid try to accomplish all her New Year’s Eve resolutions and he goes above and beyond to show her how wonderful life can be. The movie scenarios symbolize how life can throw you a curve ball, but hoping for more and being someone’s answer to their hopes can make the moment seem like a homerun.

The movie, “New Year’s Eve” is a wonderful tale of life, romance, little corky twists and even end of life. It is an easy watch that will leave you feeling happy to ring in the New Year. Hospice care is like this movie because we can give hope and support to so many that have been thrown a curve ball in life. We do our best to make the last moments count by getting symptoms under control and enhance the quality of life for patients and help them be with their family and loved ones in the time that is left. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

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My name is Christine Juehne, and I have worked as a community educator for four years at Hospice of Southern Illinois, a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). I will be your hospice guru answering questions, covering stories, and informing you about all hospice topics. I welcome you to our blog! Follow our journey to stay committed to our mission, enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. If you have further questions about Hospice of Southern Illinois or general hospice questions please feel free to call 618-235-1703 or e-mail me at cjuehne@hospice.org!