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Hospice & Hypnosis
by: Paul Gustafson RN BSN CH
Social hypnosis goes on all the time. We are constantly
bombarded with information and messages targeted for our subconscious minds.
Advertisers know that once a message reaches our subconscious it grows as an
accepted belief.
They also know that the process of becoming relaxed and focused in front of a
television screen softens our critical conscious mind and opens our fertile
subconscious to receive their uncensored messages. Our conscious mind normally
evaluates everything we hear and see everyday of our lives. Advertisers
capitalize on this unguarded moment to convince us that we want to buy what they
have to sell.
The two ways that messages can reach our subconscious is by just hoping that the
conscious mind will let it in, or to relax the analytical conscious mind
allowing the message to go straight through. Hypnosis either performed by a
hypnotherapist, or through the efforts of a Wall Street advertising firm, is
based on this simple technique. It can be as subtle as a 30 second television ad
showing the Marlboro Man riding off into the sunset or as involved as a formal
session designed to modify behavior. It can be divisive or benevolent.
In ten years of nursing I’ve never seen a more attentive motivated group than
the hospice family. Once you earn their trust, help them to become more relaxed
and focused, you can enhance their ability to cope and manage the daily changes
and inevitable hospice surprises by what you say and how you say it.
Most people go into nursing because they want to make a difference. In hospice
nursing the opportunity to make a big difference pops up everyday. Most hospice
families are ready and eager to hang on every word the hospice nurse has to say.
They want straight answers, guidance and empowerment. Seize the moment. This is
what all nurses are looking for, to teach important things to people in need and
get positive results.
Early on I realized that this group was starving for a compassionate ear. After
the shock of their diagnosis and then chemotherapy or radiation, surgery,
nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and then the ultimate hospice referral, this group
always tends to have a few things on their mind.
Not only is this helpful to collect information, but it’s also a cathartic
process for them to experience. It puts them in position to hear your helpful
words. Finally they get someone who just listens. What a pleasant surprise. Your
job is easy, just ask open ended questions, get comfortable and let them run
with it. When you think it is time speak, don’t. Listen a little longer. Give
them all the time they want.
This simple process of actively listening does three things. It supplies you
with information, creates a trusting therapeutic relationship and more
importantly it helps them to focus and relax. You can almost see the relaxation
unfolding as they speak. This may not necessarily be obvious on your first visit
but usually it is. There are, of course, some families who haven’t had a moment
of peace their whole lives and they are not about to start with you. Be open
minded, realistic and patient.
Once you have your hospice family in a better place, how you speak and what you
say can offer profound impact and direction. Speak slowly, confidently, with
direct eye contact and use positive affirming tones. One statement should build
on the next. For example: “you’ve shown that you can manage his pain and there
is enough medication in the house.” Any victory along the way is praised and
added to your laundry list of positive review topics. Such as: “you did a great
job repositioning him in bed, you’ve also made excellent decisions using the
break-through medication and you know you can call us anytime.” This positive
review is where healthy seeds get planted.
By packaging up distracting emotional debris you can better offer direction,
validation and clarity in a way that supports their continued growth and
success. The more order and control you create the more relaxed and focused they
become. The more at ease they are the more attention they pay to everything you
say. Your words and suggestions will have a dramatic impact on their ability to
cope and make difficult decisions while dealing with their own issues of grief.
Your words become their thoughts and actions. Whether you like it or not you are
in the position of authority and knowledge of all issues involved with this life
transition. All eyes and ears are pointed in your direction so take advantage of
this opportunity to position them for success. By understanding the principles
of suggestion and how the conscious and subconscious minds work, hospice nurses
can empower effective change with every visit they make. The repetition of
supportive constructive suggestions and affirmations to those in a more relaxed
and focused state of mind can have an enormous therapeutic effect.
Good nurses know the obvious advantages of reducing stress and putting their
clients at ease, by also practicing these simple communication techniques your
hospice families will be more autonomous, confident and in control during this
difficult transition.
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