Pedersen to Hospice

Received the following from Dick Pedersen's son, Arne.  As most of us know from painful experience, hospice is a one-way street to the end stage.  Usually, it is of fairly short duration, but, knowing Pete, he will stretch it out as long as he possibly can, with his trusty notebook always on hand for him to educate the medics with the latest medical advice. 

He won't go without a fight!

It is appropriate for RAFINO members to provide your goodbye remarks to Dick in the comments section of this bulletin board notice (click, at the bottom of this page,  on "Post a Comment On this Bulletin"). 

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I am providing you an update on my Dad/Dick.

On Friday, May 19, 2023, my Dad made the decision to begin Hospice care.  For those who do not know what Hospice entails, there are a few things to know about it. 

1. The care team comes to you.  No more doctors’ appointments.
2. He can still live at home until it’s not safe enough for him to do so.
3. He can focus on living his life and engaging with family and friends, not appointments.
4. This provides a dignified way of saying goodbye.

 

This last week has been filled with several Hospice care team member appointments at his house.  In terms of continuity of care, the Hospice team members will be the same people at each appointment.  The Nurse and the Aide will be seeing him weekly or more, as needed.  The Social Worker and Chaplain will see him biweekly or monthly, whatever Dad wants and needs.

We met with his parish priest on Wednesday this week.  The funeral is now planned.  I know that He and Bert are working on his obituary.  I am working on his eulogy, notification list, and other items of coordination.

He is still living at home right now.  He will continue to live there until it is really not safe for him to live alone or prior to his eyes going out on him.  He has chosen to move to Allisonville Meadows when it is time for him to move.  This is a different facility than my Mom.  He is headstrong on being close to his hospital, although in Hospice care, it does not matter.  Still, it is his choice.

Currently, he does still have some pain in his stomach area.  He does have painkillers prescribed for it when he needs them.  To date, he has not taken any.  He does get tired easily and his feet are cold and he does have some tingling feeling (numbing) in them.  He has enough strength to do many Adult Daily Living – ADL – tasks today, albeit much slower.

Olie and Alison came to visit over Mother’s Day weekend, which was very nice.  I was glad to spend some time with them.

Dave came down from Michigan this week and is spending a couple of days visiting Dad and Mom.  Always glad to see Dave as well.

We’ll keep everyone in the loop as time marches on.

As always, please keep him in your prayers.

 

Love,

Arne