Access to end-of-life care and how it brings hope to patients and families were two overarching themes dominating the discussion at Hospice of the Chesapeake’s “Hospice and Palliative Care Community Roundtable.” Held Nov. 13 at the Tree of Life Christian Ministries in Clinton, Maryland, the free event featured medical professionals and Prince George’s County community leaders sharing their experience and expertise with members of the community.
The panel was moderated by Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Director of Advocacy & Legislative Affairs Rachel Jordan, DNP, FNP-BC, who is passionate about bringing health equity to the county where she grew up and calls home. Other Hospice of the Chesapeake team members speaking on the panel included Vice President of Medical Affairs and Hospice Medical Director Dr. Sonja Richmond; and Bereavement Counselor Jennifer Ward. Also on the panel were community professionals and leaders Tree of Life Christian Ministries Pastor the Rev. James Robinson; Prince George’s County District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison; and University of Maryland Capital Region Health Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom-meka Archinard.
The panelists emphatically expressed that hospice care is something anyone who has a prognosis of six months or less is entitled to. “The World Health Organization considers end-of-life care a basic human right,” Dr. Archinard said. Though she understands the historical mistrust of the medical field by members of the Black community, Archinard said people are missing out on essential care that provides control of how and where someone dies to the patients and their families.
She shared her mother’s own experience with hospice and how her hospice providers worked to get her from Louisiana to Dr. Archinard’s home in Maryland so she could be with her daughter and grandchildren for her final days. “I can’t even imagine how I would feel if she wasn’t with me at that moment. I can’t imagine if she was in a hospital bed, despite however good and caring the care may have been. It would not have been me and my four children which is what she wanted.”
Another theme that came up throughout the discussion was that too many people look at hospice as giving up. “Hospice is not giving up hope. It’s enhancing hope,” Dr. Richmond said. “Hospice does not mean do not treat. It means I see you and not your disease. I see you and I want to help you with your symptoms. I want to enhance your quality of life. I want you to lean into your spirituality and lean into whatever and whomever gives you that strength and to you know that you are not on this journey alone.”
The discussion, which ended with questions and comments from the audience, helped to clear up confusion about the difference between hospice and palliative care, addressed the role of grief support, and shared how the community can access all the services hospice providers offer. To view a video recording of the discussion, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74wv9yNDeE&t=1021s.
Pictured from top left are, Rachel Jordan, moderator; and panelists the Rev. James Robinson; and Council Member Sydney Harrison; From bottom left, panelists Jennifer Ward and Dr. Sonja Richmond; Dr. Archinard’s son, Blaine and panelist Dr. Tom-meka Archinard. Photo by Elyzabeth Marcussen, Hospice of the Chesapeake.
