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Social Worker Kimberly Flemming and End-of-Life Care
Comforting people through the end-of-life journey was not on Kimberly Flemming’s radar as she began her career in social work in child and youth welfare.
But since 2009, Kimberly has been using her skills to bring peace and assistance to hospice patients and their families as a medical social worker for the Sentara Hospice Greater Peninsula Team.
“We are present with patients to help them process their new prognosis, assist with decision-making, and work through critical decisions during a highly emotional time,” Kimberly explains.
They advocate for patients in the hospital, nursing homes and assisted living, as well as those living at home. Hospice social workers also meet with families to solve complex issues and support patients’ goals for quality of life. That may mean encouraging spouses to climb in bed with their loved ones and hold their hand as they reach the end of life, she says.
“Death is an entirely scary, unsettling subject in itself,” Kimberly notes. “Guiding patients and their families to LIVE while DYING is an incredibly sacred journey. Finding the beautiful moments that others fear as unsettling truly demonstrates the power of the human connection.”
One especially touching moment has been witnessing veterans in hospice using all their energy to render a final salute to another veteran visiting them.
Sentara Hospice Services focuses on the needs of grieving children through Camp Lighthouse, a two-day camp for children and teens dealing with the loss of a loved one. This is one of the hospice team’s services and programs in which Kimberly takes great pride.
Kimberly’s grandmother, who she describes as a stoic registered nurse, inspired her to pursue a career in social work. Now, her teammates motivate her, giving each other strength during the intense experiences they witness. They call it “parking lot” therapy, Kimberly says.
“We meet for a few minutes before or after a particularly challenging or emotional visit to debrief and talk it out with a teammate,” she relays. “No one can possibly understand the nature and impact of this work than your very own colleagues.”
No one can possibly understand the nature and impact of this work than your very own colleagues.”
Social Worker Kimberly Flemming and End-of-Life Care
Comforting people through the end-of-life journey was not on Kimberly Flemming’s radar as she began her career in social work in child and youth welfare.
But since 2009, Kimberly has been using her skills to bring peace and assistance to hospice patients and their families as a medical social worker for the Sentara Hospice Greater Peninsula Team.
“We are present with patients to help them process their new prognosis, assist with decision-making, and work through critical decisions during a highly emotional time,” Kimberly explains.
They advocate for patients in the hospital, nursing homes and assisted living, as well as those living at home. Hospice social workers also meet with families to solve complex issues and support patients’ goals for quality of life. That may mean encouraging spouses to climb in bed with their loved ones and hold their hand as they reach the end of life, she says.
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