Hospice of Hope LLC

02/20/2025

Super thankful. Congratulations Hospice of Hope Team for a job well done. To hear an inspiring comments from CHAP Surveyor is priceless and a success . Of course the success did not happen with out the Intelligence of our smart and talented Administrator , Louise . I can’t be more prouder. I’d like to give credit also to our awesome and smart RN/ CM Nancy, she was praised by the surveyor for an excellent patient visit result . To all members of the clinical team and office staff my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for all you did and will continue to do. “Congratulations “ I can see your hard work, with a smile , said the Surveyor . 👏👏👏

01/24/2025

I was walking down the aisle of a grocery store when I heard a little girl say to her mother, “you know mom, if I don’t eat for three days, I will die.”

I wanted to walk over and let that little girl know that she was wrong. I want everyone who thinks this to know that is wrong. To be fair, maybe some people have died from not eating for a few days but from my experience at the bedside of people who are dying, it has helped me to understand that the body can go a very long time without food. The longest I have witnessed is 19 days. This woman was non-responsive, in a coma-like state, and from my perspective did not appear to be suffering physically.

I truly believe that the body does not need to have food and water at the end of life. I think food and water can often disrupt the dying process, causing physical discomfort and often suffering.

Most people equate food and water to love, especially when they have been providing this for many years. Family members and caregivers want to push food and water, hoping it will strengthen their person, and make them feel better. But I don’t think it does.

When we are aging, and dying, our throats tend to close and our ability to swallow is reduced, causing people to aspirate/choke, which increases their fear. Sometimes they can tell you verbally that they don’t want food, or they can let you know by shaking their head “no,” closing their mouth when they are being fed, pocketing it in their cheeks, or spitting it out. Listen to them, they are trying to tell you they do not want it. Our role is to honor and respect that.

When we are at the end of our life and dying, our bodies do not benefit from food and water the way a strong and healthy body does. It doesn’t need it, and it doesn’t want it. They will not die faster because they are not eating, and they will not die from starvation or dehydration. They are already dying from the diagnosis and disease process. Not forcing food and water at this time is actually incredibly kind and compassionate.

You are not hurting them, you are giving their body the peace and comfort it needs to go through the dying process however that will look for them uniquely, which can sometimes be many days. Trust that the body knows what to do, and sometimes it lets go quickly and other times longer, but you aren’t hurting them, please trust me on that.

What someone needs when they are dying is physical comfort, to be kept clean, and to be provided with dignity and respect. All human beings deserve this.

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

I have written nine books, each with the intention of providing tips and tools for anyone providing end-of-life care. You can find them all on my author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gabrielle-Elise-Jimenez/author/B0CPFTDCKT?

You can find this blog on my website:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/food-and-water-at-the-end-of-life

01/24/2025

A common piece of advice I give is: Listen without trying to fix, judge, or share how you would handle the situation... listen to affirm their words and let them know they are heard.

I can only speak from my own experience. Even though I know many others are grieving, while I am immersed in my own sorrow, I have genuinely felt like I was the only person on earth experiencing such profound sadness and pain.

One of the first things a close friend said to me after my brother died was, "I know how you feel." I instantly became defensive and wanted to shout, "YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW I FEEL." I knew her brother had died, I knew she was grieving, and I knew she was struggling, but at that moment, I needed my grief to be about me.

I understand how selfish that might sound, but I have realized that we need to be somewhat selfish with our grief, we need to sit with it for as long as necessary, we need to nurture it, care for it, and honor the various stages the grief journey has in store for us.

When I first returned to work after my brother's death, I entered the room of a young man in his early fifties who was dying. Beside his bed was a woman in tears who looked up at me and asked, "how do I say goodbye to my brother?" Even though I knew the answer, I sat down next to her and offered guidance using the tools I had learned, without making it about me.

Perhaps the kindest and most compassionate thing you can say to someone grieving, who might be going through something you can relate to, is "you are not doing this alone, I am here for you," and provide them with a safe space to express their feelings, talk about their loved one, and cry. You might cry with them... and that's okay too.

Be the person who creates a safe space for others to be vulnerable and afraid, and the kind of person who can truly be trusted to listen.

xo
Gabby

I wrote my book "Healing a Grieving Heart" following the death of my brother as I courageously embarked on my journey through grief. This book helped with my healing, and I hope it can assist you as well.
You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grieving-Heart-Gabrielle-Jimenez/dp/B0CQMGH15F

You can find this blog here:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/you-don-t-know-how-i-feel

12/12/2024

09/11/2024

Thank you for your service Sir!

07/25/2024

Thank you for your service Sir! ARMY PROUD!

07/15/2024

Your sacrifices are not forgotten. Jose, thank you for your service from Hospice of Hope.

04/24/2023

The memories you left behind will be cherished by your love ones. Thank you for your service Sir.

04/24/2023

Saying thank-you will NEVER be enough for your sacrifices. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

03/03/2023

You made this country great Sir. God bless you and your family.

10/15/2022

Hospice of Hope had a great opportunity to participate in Walk to End Alzheimer’s Arizona West Valley today! Not even the rain can stop us!