Love and Life in Hospice by Margaret Albaugh

Life and Love in Hospice

Photographed during Missouri Photo Workshop 74

Vic Bonuchi has always been part of a team, whether as a young baseball player or a coach for the high school football team. After 39 years coaching local teams, the lifelong sports fan has left his mark on Excelsior Springs where the high school football stadium is named after him: the Vic Bonuchi Field.

Vic has advanced Parkinson's disease and a new type of team: his caregivers. The team includes his home nurse Ann, his son Eddie, his daughter Viki, and the hospice nurses. From 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day, his wife Joann, who has Alzheimer's disease, is his sole caretaker. Viki says Vic has spent his life caring for others, "now it's our turn to care for him."

An old photograph of Vic&rs...le in his life and in his home.

An old photograph of Vic’s childhood baseball team — Vic’s “sandlot”, as Joann puts it — hangs on a kitchen wall in their Excelsior Springs home in September 2022. Baseball, and sports in general, have played a dominant role in his life and in his home.

To slow the effects of his Park...steady so he can sit back down.

To slow the effects of his Parkinson’s disease, Vic does physical therapy at home. When they can, his care team helps him go for a walk through the house. After a successful walk, his nurse Ann applauds him, and his wife holds his wheelchair steady so he can sit back down.

Vic's granddaughter sha...ghter visits whenever they can.

Vic's granddaughter shares her "tea" with him during a tea party; Vic's daughter and granddaughter visits whenever they can.

Vic takes a sip from his tea.

As the weather cools down, Vic ...d if he is comfortable enough.

As the weather cools down, Vic and Joann spend an autumn afternoon on the porch of their home in Excelsior Springs. Joann says they sit outside when the weather is nice. She tends to him, asking him what he may need and if he is comfortable enough.

As 5 p.m. approaches, Ann prepa...r 6-year-old dog Winnie watch.

As 5 p.m. approaches, Ann prepares to leave for the day. She and Joann discuss the meal preparations waiting for them in the kitchen while Vic and their 6-year-old dog Winnie watch.

About an hour after Ann leaves,... to wait for a possible scrap.

About an hour after Ann leaves, Joann begins meal preparations usually warming up whatever Ann, her daughter Viki, or her son Eddie, has made for them. She helps Vic get ready by positioning a bib to protect his clothing, and Winnie jumps in his lap to wait for a possible scrap.

Joann heats up the meals Ann ha...nto dishes for herself and Vic.

Joann heats up the meals Ann has prepared and separates them onto dishes for herself and Vic.

After 64 years of marriage, Joa...ndash; physical and emotional.

After 64 years of marriage, Joann remains devoted to Vic’s health – physical and emotional.

Joann carries dinner to Vic. Th... nurse prepare meals for them.

Joann carries dinner to Vic. Their grown children and home nurse prepare meals for them.

Joann places the dinner in fron...t and checks what he may need.

Joann places the dinner in front of Vic and warns him it is hot and checks what he may need.

After putting away meals and ti...f family in Excelsior Springs.

After putting away meals and tidying up, Joann slips away to take care of herself for a moment. On the other side of the wall is their bed and portraits of generations of family in Excelsior Springs.

Joann has decorated her home wi...r the portraits of loved ones.

Joann has decorated her home with years of photographs. With the help of hospice care, Vic and Joann maintain their independence, which includes sleeping in their home, in their own bed, under the portraits of loved ones.

Margaret Albaugh

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