Historic Kainaliu, Kona’s original shopping village. Located 5 miles south of Kailua-Kona.
to get an advanced medical directive, the care plan for end of life, in place to cover critical decision making and daily patient management. Then, patients receive immediate, in-home attention for physical needs like pain and symptom management, medications, getting durable medical equipment, and personal care. “Hospice care can actually make you live longer if you’re being cared for because you are well supported and your symptoms are managed,” notes Katherine. All patients receive a kit containing numbers to call in cases of emergency. It is not unusual that an ER nurse will be on the
KeOlaMagazine.com | September-October 2018
North Hawaii Hospice volunteer providing personal care. photo courtesy of North Hawaiÿi Hospice
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other end of a call, as many work for hospice on-call. When a patient does need medical attention, NHH uses long-term care facilities Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua or a facility in Kapa‘au. Along with direct family assistance, NHH provides education, respite care, and grief counseling for families. NHH also assists with things that come under “unfinished business”—spiritual, emotional, financial, or social issues that need to be addressed. As a community-centric organization, NHH runs free educational programs concerning end-of-life issues to employers, schools, community groups, faith-based organizations, senior centers, and at Tutu’s House. Free group and one-on-one programs in grief and bereavement counseling occur regularly onsite for people of all ages. Bereavement counseling is also delivered at community schools, hospitals, and faith communities. The lending library is filled with books and videos about end-of-life issues as well as free resources for people touched by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. Staff members occasionally respond to calls for grief and bereavement counseling from visitors who experience a loss or death while on island. Twice a year, NHH offers a 15–18 hour training program led by the medical director for prospective volunteers. It covers hospice philosophy, death and dying, terminal illnesses, the grieving process, family dynamics, communication, spirituality, and cultural differences. NHH serves a smaller, rural population and covers about 30 people per day. The team-based care (nurses, physicians, social workers, CNAs, etc.) is amplified by volunteers who do chores, mow lawns, do handyman jobs, art activities, and even massage. As a nonprofit organization, NHH supports operating expenses with its signature High Country Tea event held at the Waiki‘i Ranch Clubhouse. Tommy Bahama sponsors an annual golf tournament, and the Fairmont Orchid partners on