The clinicians in the Palliative Care Program at Princeton Medical Center wanted to find a meaningful way to help critically ill patients, families, and caregivers during the final days of life. They discovered the Three Wishes Project at UCLA Health. The program, which originated in Canada, helps celebrate life by fulfilling three small wishes, specific to each patient or family’s request. Wishes are often simple acts of compassion, which might include playing comforting music, sharing a taste of their favorite food, or even creating a lasting keepsake, such as a fingerprint, for loved ones left behind. Gestures such as these also help provide closure for families, which is essential to the healing process.
The Palliative Care Program has fulfilled over 20 heartfelt wishes since the program started earlier this year.
“Every encounter I have had with a patient’s family member while offering the keepsakes was a positive interaction. It helps the family with closure and to feel at peace knowing they can always have a part of their loved one with them. It also helps the staff, who assist these family members, to feel at peace as well. They can be a part of offering comfort to not just their patient, but the patient’s family. The keepsakes project is something that should be continued as a standard of practice in our hospital,” expressed Alexis Ott, RN, a nurse who provides palliative care. “I will cherish this experience as one of the most positive moments of my professional career.”
This program is funded entirely by philanthropic contributions to our Palliative Care Program. While the average wish involves very little cost, each is rich with meaning. We are grateful for the generosity of our community to help bring peace and dignity to patients and their loved ones at the end of life. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact the Foundation at 609.252.8710, or visit us at princetonhcs.org/donate.
Article as seen in Foundation News Fall 2023.
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