Dr. Jason Ulsperger’s psychosocial aspects of death and dying class recently learned about hospice from special guest speakers.
Karen Wiley, R.N., and Mary McNutt, LCSW, of the Arkansas Department of Health spoke to the class about different facets of hospice care, which allows the terminally ill to stay in their own homes while receiving medical care and social services.
Wiley, an Arkansas Tech alumna, focused her presentation on nursing issues. McNutt’s presentation dealt with the use of bereavement services, spiritual concerns and coping issues.
Hospice includes pain management and a variety of other services for people suffering from terminal illnesses who decide not to continue life-preserving treatment.
Ulsperger believes educating students on hospice can change people’s perspectives of the dying process. He says, “So many people think that turning down curative medical treatment and moving toward hospice care is giving up, and it is not. It takes courage for the terminally ill to move in the direction of using hospice. When they finally do, I think the ability to die with dignity in their own homes around family and friends becomes invaluable.”
]]>
