Debra G Simms P.A.

04/22/2022

Here is a simple guide to WHEN is it time to create your estate plan?

It can be challenging to think about your death when you’re busy living your life to the fullest. You may not ever want to think of a time when you’re not around to enjoy what you have now, but creating an estate plan can be crucial for ensuring your

04/17/2022

A very Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

04/13/2022

Do you need assistance in figuring out exactly what you need in an estate plan? We can help.

04/08/2022

Your estate plan needs to be reviewed occasionally! Don't forget it, it is a fluid plan and needs to be revamped as needed.

Health issues and remarriage might prompt you to update your will, but be aware of other life changes that require a review of your estate plan, say experts.

03/29/2022

Taking the plunge again? Things to consider!

When it comes to remarriage, advisors recommend engaged couples look at their financial pasts, presents and futures before tying the knot again.

03/28/2022

Did you watch the Oscars? This was the best moment. Kindness always wins.

Liza Minnelli, 76, rarely makes public appearances, but joined Lady Gaga on stage at the Oscars to announce this year’s Best Picture winner. Almost 50 years after she won the Oscar for her performance in Cabaret, Liza was in a wheelchair during last night’s ceremony and at times appeared to be unsure on what she was supposed to do. But Gaga quite literally held her hand during their shared time on stage, but only after allowing Liza her own moment in the spotlight. In a sweet private exchange that was picked up by their microphones, Gaga leaned into Liza and whispered: “I got you,” to which Liza replied: “I know, thank you.” Tap the link in bio to read more. (📸: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images)

03/27/2022

There is something magical about a sunny day. Today is a gorgeous one!What's your favorite thing to do outside in the sun?

03/25/2022

Christopher Reed said, "Once you choose hope anything is possible." Make hope a choice today and every day.

03/23/2022

This is important information for anyone facing these terrible choices. It is so important to make your wishes known to your family. No one wants to have that conversation but it is critical.

Q. My mother was given Morphine and she died after that. Did the medication kill her?

Q. The hospice company my sister is at wants to give her Methadone but I am afraid she will become addicted. Will she become addicted if they start her on this?

Q. Do the medications given at the end of life, like Morphine, Lorazepam, Haloperidol, or Methadone hasten death?

These are questions I am asked often. I have attached a blog I wrote in 2019 about these medications, which I encourage you to read, but I want to respond to these questions here.

A.
I want to start by saying that I am not a big fan of pushing medications too quickly. I prefer to first try and find other ways to offer relief if possible. However, having said that, I think it is important to have medications on hand, and to educate patients and families on the benefits of the medications, and relieve them of fear. Fear plays a big role in the resistance of using the medications and I always want to remove that if possible.

When someone is given a terminal diagnosis, whether they are on hospice or not, it is already predetermined that they could die. When there is suffering of any kind, physical or emotional, the medications can bring relief. If non-pharmaceutical measures are taken, and are not effective, I would encourage you to try the medications.

Could someone die after taking them. Yes. But at least in my experience, it is not because of the medications. The diagnosis and the disease process was already ending their life. The medications calm the distress in such a way that it allows the body to shut down a little gentler, almost giving it permission to let go, and allowing them to die a little more peacefully.

Can someone become addicted to these medications? My answer is always this... if they are dying, and these medications are helping, take addiction off the table.

When someone you love is dying, and there is pain, shortness of breath, agitation, restlessness or fear... the medications can almost always reduce the suffering and that would be my first goal.

Before I suggest medications to a patient or family, I educate them. I tell them what each medication can do, the benefits it might bring, and the way it comforts a body that is in distress.

Comfort, support, education, and the removal of fear... these are my goals ALWAYS.

xo
Gabby
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/ativan-morphine-methadone-oh-my

03/20/2022

Happy first day of Spring to all my friends in the Northern Hemisphere! Spring is a wonderful reminder of the beauty of change. If you are lucky enough to have crocuses in your yard even better!

03/18/2022

Very important message.

I visited a patient today who has dementia. I had a long day, I was tired, and I was emotionally spent... it was my last visit and most of me wanted to rush right through it.

When I sat down next to his bed, he started to talk to me. Most of what he said didn't make sense... so I just went along with it. As I sat and listened to him, engaging when I could, I felt myself sink into my seat, and lean a little closer in... reminding myself that this was not about me, and I needed to up my game and be more present for him, because he deserved that. He started talking about music, one song in particular, "chattanooga choo choo". I found it on my phone and played it for him. When he heard it, he turned his head toward me and said, "I love this song."

He didnt remember that he had just tried to sing it to me, or that we had been talking about it for a few minutes. But that moment, with just him and I listening to a song he loved... was a really good morment for him. But... it was a laso a really good moment for me.

Imagine the difference we can make in someone else's life if we just leaned in, were a little more present, and made it less about us and more about them.

I will savor that moment and his smile for a very long time.

When I left, I said, "I'll see you again sometime," and he responded, "I sure hope so," and continued to mumble on about trucks and fences. I had a moment. One brief moment. It came as fast as it went, but I know in my heart, I gave him that moment and that matters to me.

There is still a person in there who needs (and deserves) our attention.

Let's be kinder humans!
xox
Gabby