3rd annual veterans’ hospice forum held in Raleigh County

BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Beckley Veterans Affairs Medical Center held its 3rd Annual Veterans’ Hospice and Palliative Care Conference on Friday.

Debra Lilly, PhD, was among the Beckley VAMC staff members directly involved in this year’s conference, which emphasized early identification of end-of-life goals.  Speaking to MetroNews affiliate WJLS, Lilly described palliative care as a comprehensive program that includes a holistic approach to hospice services for individuals suffering from chronic physical illnesses.

Debra Lilly, Interim Mental Health Service Line Chief, Beckley VA Medical Center

“We also focus on the family, and how they’re coping with the changes that the illness presents for that individual, as well as some of the spiritual and, possibly, mental health challenges that go along with having, everyday, to cope with a serious illness,” she said.

Lilly recently received her certification in geropsychology, a field of psychology that specializes in understanding and treating mental health issues and psychological conditions that tend to be more common among older adults.  She is the only psychologist in West Virginia with the certification, and one of only 66 nationwide.

The Beckley VAMC Hospice unit previously received national recognition from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs Bereaved Family Survey, which evaluates the quality of care received by patients at a V.A. inpatient facility during the final month of life.  Lilly told WJLS the evaluation includes an examination of multiple patient treatment aspects, which are measured by a survey of family members of the deceased veteran.

“How well were symptoms were managed? How well was the mental health aspect, the challenges that person may have faced during their care, such as PTSD or depression, managed?  Did you feel like the family had knowledge of what was going on?  Was there good communication about what symptoms were occurring, and how they could be managed?…and what part family could play in that process,” said Lilly.

Among the speakers at Friday’s conference was Tim Carrico, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Hospice of Southern West Virginia, which partners with the Beckley VAMC to provide care, after a diagnosis of a terminal illness is made.  He told WJLS the majority of veterans who become eligible for hospice services choose in-home care, while approximately 15% become residents of the Doug and Lucy Bowers Hospice House in Beckley.

Tim Carrico, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Hospice of Southern West Virginia

“There’s an entire realm of services that hospice offers, everything from just the medical side of it, but we also have a chaplaincy service…as well as volunteer services, where our volunteers are able to sit with the patients, they’re able to talk with the patients, and interact with them, especially if they have loved ones that aren’t able to come to their home or come to the Hospice House,” Carrico said, adding, “We actually have two hospice therapy dogs that come in…and it’s really awesome to see because you see them interact with the patients and the families, and it just brings a smile to their face, and they forget why they’re there for just that split second, and gives them a little bit of piece of mind.”

Carrico emphasized that medical referrals are not a requirement for receiving hospice care, and that Hospice of Southern West Virginia welcomes self-referrals and referrals by family members or friends of the individual.  He also said there is a standard screening process for each person being considered for hospice, regardless of the origin of the referral.

“We’re able to go into the home, meet with the family, meet with the patient, and then be able to diagnose whether or not they’re proper for our care,” he explained.

Carrico invited anyone considering becoming a volunteer to contact his office.  He said volunteers are needed for both in-home patients and for those who become residents of Bowers Hospice House.





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