illustration

Erasing wrong perceptions of AIDS hospices

Local facilities provide sincerity, caring and independence for
sick

By Anita Chun

Serenity. That is the first word that came to mind as I walked
up the

driveway of Chris Brownlie Hospice nestled in the hills of
Elysian Park.

Beauty. The single word that describes the interior and exterior
of Carl

Bean AIDS Healthcare Center in the West Adams District.
Potential. One word

to describe the construction of the newest hospice in West
Hollywood.

Negative stereotypes of what a hospice is and the kinds of
residents who

live there are not uncommon. I, myself, fell into the category
of people

not educated on this topic. A stereotype of associating an AIDS
hospice

with a place of sorrow where people go to die is a myth I had
before my

visit to all three of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’ s
hospices. I thought

I would see people hooked up to IVs, frail, still and
listless.

Another misconception I had was that people weren’t happy to be
spending

their last days at a hospice with a bunch of strange people
trying to

comfort them and be their friend. But, in reality, these
hospices provide a

warm environment for people with AIDS who have been given a
prognosis of

six months or less to live, but who want to live their remaining
days to

the fullest. I found the staff at each location to be genuinely
sincere,

compassionate and professional.

As I entered the Chris Brownlie Hospice complex, I already felt
my

nerves at ease. The cactus garden on the right and the lemon
grove and

fountain on the left create a peaceful environment for patients
and staff.

I started to think that the actual surroundings are not as
horrid and scary

as I first perceived.

At AIDS Healthcare Foundation, 95 cents out of every dollar goes
to

patient care. This is apparent as I walk in the front door and
see a few

cubicles designated as the administrative offices. Patient care
is the

first and foremost goal at each location.

This twostory, 25-bed facility for residents was actually a
renovated

nurses’ dormitory that belonged to nearby Barlow Respiratory
Hospital. I

was impressed by the amount of activities and field trips
planned by staff

members for the residents. Such activities include weekly
picnics, baseball

games at Dodger Stadium, trips to the theater and much more.

Each resident is allowed to leave and come back when
provided

transportation from a staff member, or volunteer or one of their
friends. I

did not know that residents were allowed to freely leave the
facility at

their leisure. I thought once a resident was admitted to a
hospice, there

was not as much mobility and freedom as they could have outside.
If

residents prefer to stay within the facility, they are free to
watch TV in

the living room, stay in their room or grab a snack from the
kitchen.

I walked away with a better understanding of how a hospice
functions.

After leaving Chris Brownlie, I felt more comfortable with
facing my own

phobias and misconceptions of what to expect from a hospice. I
actually

wanted to see another one. I wanted to see if residents were as
happy and

comfortable in other hospices, too. I asked my tour guide to
show me the

Foundation’s other hospices – Carl Bean AIDS Care Center and
Linn

House.

My first impression of the Carl Bean AIDS Care Center was not of
a

hospice, but a beautiful house. The 1901 DutchColonial exterior
of the

center mirrors the impressive and detailed interior. The
craftsmanship and

care illustrated throughout the building reflect the work and
time donated

by interior designers and architects who worked to preserve its
arts and

crafts style. I noticed the hardwood floor was decorated with
colorful

handstenciled patterns and the dining room tables had intricate
tile

patterns. I was told that each table was unique in design and
each tile was

personally laid by the interior designer team. I could only
imagine the

amount of care and detail each worker put into making this
center very

homey and comfortable.

Adjoining the renovated mansion is a new 25-bed,
state-of-the-art,

twostory annex. This complex lets in plenty of natural light and
the high

ceilings offer residents a sense of openness and mobility. On
this

particular day, Daisy the wonder pup greeted residents in the
lobby with a

series of barks. Even a dog can bring a smile or a glimmer of
happiness to

residents. The atmosphere seemed to be friendly and staff
members greeted

me with warm smiles. Imagine what a person could do when they
spend a

little more time talking to residents? Often, a resident just
needs someone

to talk to or someone just to listen to their concerns and
feelings.

The third hospice, Linn House, is still under construction, but
will be

just as special as the other two hospices. At this site, the
team of

architects and interior designers benefited from the input of
caregivers to

create another facility providing comfort, care and support to
its

residents. Presently, only the framework of steel girders
exists, with

construction crews nearing completion of the hospice
everyday.

These hospices reflect the expansion of AIDS Healthcare
Foundation and

its continued commitment to patient care. From touring them, I
have found a

new appreciation and respect for the staff members and
volunteers who work

there. I no longer have a morbid outlook on the inner workings
of a

hospices. I come away feeling the compassion and warmth in these
centers

from people who truly make the last days of an individual’s life
more

comfortable, full and enriching. Residents are respected and not
looked

down upon. Residents can be assured that their dignity and
self-respect

will not be overlooked or taken for granted. Often these
hospices are

second homes; for some, their only homes.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s hospices provide comprehensive
health care

and a range of services integrating the latest advances in pain
management,

symptom control, spiritual, emotional and bereavement support.
All services

provided at a hospice or healthcare center are offered without
regards to

their ability to pay. No one is ever turned away.
Administrators, staff and

volunteers at each site provide comfort, compassion, love, and
respect to

each patient and their loved ones.Chum is a senior sociology
student. She volunteered with AIDS

Healthcare Foundation this summer.