Comfort for family in final days with father

“It was not unexpected,” said Piper Hamlin-Rupp, of her father’s death in January 2017.

Nor was it her first experience in letting go of an elderly family member—her cousin had passed in 2014 and her mother in 2015.

But her family’s experience at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center-University District stands out, “because it was what you’d want it to be like, if it were your loved

“One nurse made a huge difference.” Naomi Roberts, RN, on the Acute Care the Elderly unit wasn’t the only nurse who took care of my father nor was she the only one who was great, said Hamlin-Rupp. (ACE is a special unit on the medical floor that promotes health and treatment options for older adults.)

But Naomi had a compassion about her that stood out, said Hamlin-Rupp. “What was unique about Naomi was that she was the voice of my father. She helped us help him,” explaining signs of discomfort and sharing that their dad could hear visitors’ conversations at his bedside.

“She answered our questions and shared ways we could make him more comfortable,” said Hamlin-Rupp. “It wasn't just the words—it was offering the guidance when we didn't know what questions to ask. It was broaching subjects we were afraid to speak out loud.”

“I looked forward to Naomi’s shifts with us because I knew she would be watchful as well as make us aware of changes and what they meant.”

Hamlin-Rupp also felt the environment at the University District campus was generally peaceful and less hectic than other areas. She feels the University District’s ACE unit is a “special gem.”

Photo:
The photo with this story is a continuation quilt given to Piper Hamlin-Rupp’s father by volunteers at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center. Blankets like these are given to every patient on comfort care or near the end of life. A Chinese symbol is stamped on the back of every quilt with the following message:

CONTINUATION
Upon completion comes fulfillment.
With fulfillment comes liberation.
Liberation allows you to go on.
Even death is not a true ending.
Life is infinite continuation.