End of Life Dreams and Visions: The Patient’s Perspective
By: Sarah Kuszczak, Clinical Research Coordinator
People have been recording accounts of dreams and visions experienced toward the end of life for centuries. Family members and staff here at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPC) have long noted that these dreams and visions are often deeply comforting and profoundly meaningful for patients and their families alike. The CHPC research team is conducting a project to examine hospice homecare patients’ dreams and visions from their perspective and most importantly, to further explore their social and spiritual impact. This project could not be carried out without the “Dream Team”, a group of nurses, social workers, chaplains, and expressive therapists who ask the patients about their dreams and visions each week during their routine visits. Here are some of their reflections about why they have joined the “Dream Team” and how it has helped them to improve patient care:
“I am passionate about research that will further bolster what we as clinicians do here at Hospice Buffalo. This research study has not only given me an excellent opportunity to advance the field of hospice and palliative care, but also to better get to know the use of sleep and dream assessment in my daily patient care.” – Kevin McKenzie, Nursing Home team social worker
“My favorite aspect of being on the Dream Team is learning about how important dreams are to patient’s health. Dreams are an integral part of their approach to sickness and suffering.” –Ken Keenan, Team 7 & 11 Nursing Home team chaplain
“It is my intention to deepen my understanding of the dying process, while providing support, comfort, and awareness of the process itself. I hope to be able to convey to patients just how “normal” and natural their dying process is.” – Annie Allen, expressive therapies
“It’s another way of connecting with and serving our patients and families” –Jessica Gallman, Team 9 social worker
“I joined the Dream Team to obtain a greater understanding of end of life dreams/visions and their impact on the patient…This helps me to educate and assist patients to process their dreams and visions.” – Amy Whelan, Team 9 nurse
The CHPC research team would like to thank Philip Hubbell, whose generous donation has made this study possible. This study is a follow-up to one that was conducted in the Hospice Inpatient Unit, which you can read about here: HospiceBuffalo.com/Journeys