Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care and does not reflect the same of KOAA.
There are many challenges to caring for an aging parent and for those who have served our country there are many options available when that help is needed toward the end of their lives.
Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care is a level 5 partner in the We Honor Veterans program. It's a program partnered between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Veterans Administration.
A study in partnership with The Economist, and the Kaiser Family Foundationpublished in 2017 found 7 in 10 Americans said they would prefer to die at home if given a choice, but how many people actually put a plan to place - that will allow that to happen?
Now in his 90s Claudy Crow has a proud military history serving in the Air Force and was part of the Berlin Airlift, and his life is now peacefully on that path.
Patricia Strobridge is Claudy’s daughter who says of her father’s military service, “Originally he wanted to fly, that was one of his passions.”
Patricia does all she can to help care for her mom and dad. She stops by the house several times a week and picks up their groceries for them. Patricia also learned that even when doing her best, keeping track of meds alone for an aging parent can be a handful after her father had to be hospitalized recently.
Patricia says, “That's what I think happened, he didn't take his medicine correctly and that ended up dropping his blood pressure and he ended up in the hospital.”
At that point Patricia also learned that her dad’s life would need some significant changes if he was going to return home. She says, “When my dad was in the hospital and there was a decision made that if he were to come home he needs some care, some home care.”
But, what would that home care look like, and who would provide it? Patricia says her father had certain wishes. “He didn't want physical therapy. He didn't want occupational therapy, he really only wanted someone who would just come and take care of him and ask him what he wants.”
Turns out that someone was Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, that even has a special program for veterans like Claudy.
Dawn Darvalics is the President of Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. “On any given day we are caring for at least 50 patients who are veterans at the end of life. We know that veterans deserve and need unique and individualized care because they have experienced things in life that not everyone has.”
In our next story, how Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care have been able to improve not only Claudy and his wife’s quality of life, but also Patricia’s and why hospice care doesn’t need to be something anyone is hesitant about.
Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care is a proud sponsor of Your Healthy Family.
