Hospice of Wake County Focuses on Life

RALEIGH, NC, September 14, 2010 (Press-News.org) When people hear the word hospice, visions of imminent death are conjured and fear of the unknown prevails in even the coolest of heads. While death is ultimately the inescapable result, Hospice focuses on life and making sure that every last moment can be lived to the fullest. Raleigh resident Bobbi Lancaster recently experienced first-hand the value and comfort Hospice of Wake County brings to not only the patient, but the family as well.

In a matter of months, Lancaster was nearly consumed by a maelstrom of events that threatened to drag her under including the loss of her job, a breast cancer scare, the death of a beloved pet and a dog bite that left her in the hospital when she received yet another piece of devastating news. Her mother, Annie, was going downhill.

Hospice of Wake County immediately stepped in and brought calmness to the whole situation. Lancaster no longer had to spend all her time and energy attending to her mother's personal hygiene needs, dealing with medication and running various errands. Also, Lancaster never had to worry about her mother being alone since volunteers were constantly dropping by to visit. She suddenly could just spend quality time with her mother; free from the responsibility of being the primary care giver.

"Because of Hospice, I don't have to remember any of the bad things surrounding my mother's death. I can remember all the wonderful time I got to spend with her and listening to her funny stories," said Lancaster. "The nurses kept her relaxed and out of pain, so even at the very end, I got to see her silly side."

The nurses also set Lancaster's mind at ease by answering all her questions on advanced directives and acted as a sounding board through it all; allowing her to see different situations with new eyes. Most importantly, Hospice provided Lancaster with much needed emotional support.

"Hospice was much more about me living than my mom dying. People who wait until the very end to call Hospice miss out on so much," Lancaster said. "The nurses constantly let me sit and talk and cry with them, so my mom never saw me upset. Plus, her team gave me people who understood what I was going through and allowed me to share all the stories my mom was telling me."

Annie Lancaster was one of the first five patients in Hospice of Wake County's new William M. Dunlap Center for Caring (Hospice Home) located off of Trinity Road in Cary. She died on March 7, 2010 at the age of 93.

"I can never offer the nurses at Hospice enough thanks or explain what their help did for us both. Becoming the parent/ caregiver to your parent is the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. It summons emotions that you are not prepared to deal with, all wrapped in a package to look like it is going to be a wonderful assignment," said Lancaster. "Having Hospice of Wake County come into that world I was thrust into was one of the luckiest things that happened. They took some of the hardship off me, allowing me to be comfortable and not so overwhelmed by all that we were going through."

To download a photo of Bobbi and Annie Lancaster, please visit http://www.mediapartners-inc.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Mom-amp-bobbi.jpg.

About Hospice of Wake County
Your community hospice since 1979, Hospice of Wake County provides physical, emotional and spiritual care to those living with advanced illness, their caregivers and those who have lost a loved one regardless of age, race, religion or financial circumstances. Service areas include Wake, Johnston, Franklin, Durham and Harnett counties. Guided by community-based boards of directors and trustees and supported by a dedicated professional staff, the goal of Hospice of Wake County is to provide compassionate hospice care that allows patients to enjoy every moment of their lives to the fullest. For more information call 919-828-0890 or visit http://www.hospiceofwake.org

About Big Bad Ball
The Big Bad Ball, an annual black tie gala presented by The Capital City Club's Young Executives, raises money each year to support the Hospice of Wake County Indigent Patient Fund and the Horizons Grief Center. This year's event, Rhythm and Romance, will be held October 2nd from 7p.m. - 1a.m. at the Capital City Club. Tickets for the Big Bad Ball are $125 each. All guests can enjoy two bands: The Moonlighters Orchestra and tHE.DESIGN; five open bars; scrumptious food selections including hors d'oeuvres, pasta and carving stations, desserts and a late night breakfast. Attendees also get a chance to participate in a silent auction, a Fink's Jewelers door prize and a raffle for a $10,000 cash prize. Proceeds from the Big Bad Ball support the Hospice of Wake County Indigent Patient Fund and the Horizons Grief Center.

To purchase tickets or learn more about the Big Bad Ball, please visit http://www.bigbadball.com or call Hospice of Wake County at 919-828-0890.