By Natalie Taylor
“Nothing is certain,” Benjamin Franklin said, “except death and taxes.” I’ll let accountants deal with the latter. Today I’d like to talk about the grim reaper, and his inevitable arrival in each of our lives. He may arrive unexpectedly, without a moment of notice, or he may give us time to prepare for our passing or that of a loved one. Sometimes the last part of our journey can be difficult and painful. How do we face the final stages of illness, with an environment as free of stress and pain as possible?
When an illness becomes incurable, and all that is left is waiting to die, hospice care can be an invaluable service. It’s palliative care for someone with six months or less to live, and the focus is comfort, encompassing emotional and physical support.
The modern concept of hospice began with Dame Cicely Saunders who introduced the idea of specialized care for the dying in 1963. Four years later she created St. Christopher’s Hospice in the United Kingdom. An environment for a dignified death, with an emphasis on eliminating pain and suffering, became a reality in 1967. Hospice’s goal is to make the patient as comfortable as possible, by focusing on physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. Hospice counseling helps patients and families come to terms with the process, providing a support network.
In San Miguel de Allende we have Hospice Care by Mitigare. It is the only hospice in Mexico for care in the patient’s home. It’s not a place, it’s a concept and a philosophy. It means remaining at home, comfortable, alert, and surrounded by family and friends. Cicely Saunders said: “You matter until the last moment of your life, and we will do everything we can not only to help you die in peace but to live until you die.”
The executive and medical director is Dr. Lourdes Tejada, from San Miguel. She is a board-certified oncologist and palliative care specialist, who has worked with the state of Guanajuato for over 20 years. She started Mitigare five years ago, and Les Matthews, with a background in health care and hospice services in the United States, joined the group primarily in a fundraising capacity. Their goal is to begin construction of a Hospice House and Training Center. There will be a few in-patient beds, for patients who don’t have a local support system. Currently, seven staff members have been trained by Dr. Tejada, and 25 more are in training.
A major accomplishment is that once the new facility is completed, they will be able to accept U.S. Medicare reimbursement for in-patient hospice care. It’s truly the only Hospice program in Mexico that will be able to accept Medicare.Mitigare is a non-profit organization, dependent on donations. The care they provide is calibrated to the financial needs of each individual and family, and fees are scaled accordingly. For any questions, please call 415 111 7637 or email: contacto@mitigare.org
