About Hospice

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Top 30 FAQs About Hospice: Everything You Need to Know

Discover hospice care, eligibility, benefits, provider choice, costs, services, and more. Learn how hospice addresses physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs and how to prepare for and manage them. Find out about the roles of the hospice team and the primary caregiver and the signs of approaching death. Empower yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about compassionate end-of-life care.
Florence Nightingale Quote

Celebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale in Hospice Nursing

In the realm of nursing, the spirit of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, continues to illuminate the path for nurses across various specialties. Her legacy, rooted in compassion, patient-centered care, and unwavering dedication, resonates deeply with nurses from all walks of life. However, we discover a profound connection to Florence Nightingale’s nursing model within hospice nursing. This article will explore the distinctive qualities that set hospice nurses apart, including their remarkable autonomy, acute assessment skills, problem-solving abilities, and holistic approach to patient care.
Nurse Restraining And Yelling At Patient

Monologue: Non-Hospice Nurse vs. Hospice Nurse

Hospice is very different from other kinds of nursing and health care. Most of us know that doctors and nurses in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other places care a lot about numbers. They check your heartbeat, blood, and other things to see if they are normal. Sometimes, they do things that make you uncomfortable, like putting a tube in your nose, because they want to fix the numbers. But they don’t always think about how you feel. They are trying to fix the numbers, not you, the person. This short story shows you how non-hospice and hospice nurses are different. A hospice nurse cares more about you, the person.
Nurse Holding Hands With Patient

Post-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to Ask

If you or someone you love has a serious illness that cannot be cured, you may have heard of hospice care. Hospice care is a special kind that focuses on making the patient comfortable and peaceful in their final days. Hospice care also supports the family and caregivers emotionally and spiritually. When a patient joins hospice care, they will have a special meeting with a hospice nurse. This meeting is called the post-admission visit. It is an especially important visit because it will help the patient and the family get to know the hospice team and learn more about the care they will receive. This article will explain what to expect and what to ask during the post-admission visit. We will also provide tips and resources to help you and your loved one make the most of this time. We hope this article will help you feel more prepared and confident about the hospice journey.
Music therapist Becky Pansch of Fairview Hospice in Minneapolis and client Kevin Pollari in his living room | Credit: Marie Gentile, Fairview Health Services

Music Therapy: A Melody of Hope for the Terminally Ill

If you or someone you love is facing a terminal illness, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with it. You may wonder how to cope with the pain, the fear, the grief, and the loss of control. You may also want to find ways to make the most of the time you have left and to leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones. Music therapy is a form of therapy that can help you and your family deal with these issues. It involves using music and musical activities to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages and backgrounds. Music therapy can help you express your feelings, communicate with others, relax your body and mind, cope with pain and stress, enhance your spiritual connection, and create a meaningful life story.

Hospice Care: A Purist vs. Non-Purist Approach

Dive into the contrasting philosophies of purist and non-purist hospice nurses and doctors. Understand how their views on medication and patient care differ, shaping the terminal phase of a patient’s journey. This article highlights the delicate balance between medical intervention and quality of life in hospice care.

Hospice Care Eligibility: Understanding the Six-Month Rule

Discover the true nature of hospice care in the U.S. This guide clarifies eligibility, focusing on comfort for those with a terminal prognosis of six months or less, and the support available for families and caregivers during this journey.

Hospice Access for Undocumented Immigrants

Welcome to our guide on hospice care for undocumented immigrants. This article is crafted with the utmost empathy to support family members and caregivers as they navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of hospice services and the unique challenges faced by undocumented immigrants during these tender moments.
Provider Order To Eval And Treat For Hospice

Understanding Hospice Eval and Treat Orders

In the world of healthcare, when a provider writes an order to “Eval and Treat” for hospice, they are asking for a thorough evaluation and a tailored treatment plan. This is specifically meant for patients who are being considered for hospice care. Let’s delve into what this means and why it’s crucial. What Does “Eval and Treat” for Hospice Mean?
hospice four levels of care

Optimizing Hospice Respite Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

Caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness can be extremely rewarding but also particularly challenging. You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or isolated by the demands of caregiving. You may also feel guilty or anxious about taking a break from your loved one. But you deserve time to rest, recharge, and care for yourself. That is why hospice respite care can be a great option for you and your loved one. Hospice respite care is a service that allows you to temporarily place your loved one in a facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice house, where they can receive professional care and support. You can use this time to do whatever you need or want, such as sleeping, working, running errands, visiting friends, or enjoying a hobby. Respite care can last up to five days at a time.
hospice couple travelng

Traveling While on Hospice: Making the Most of Precious Moments Together

As an experienced hospice nurse caring for terminally ill patients and their families, I understand the importance of making the most of the time you have left with your loved one. Traveling with a terminally ill family member can be a beautiful and meaningful experience, allowing you to create lasting memories together. In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of traveling while on hospice and offer valuable tips for managing the journey for the best possible outcome
history of the hospice movement

Navigating Hospice Care in 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

As we step into 2024, it’s important to understand the current state of hospice care and how it has evolved to support those in need. Hospice care is a type of healthcare that focuses on the comfort and quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. It’s about caring for the whole person, not just their medical condition.
hospice levels of care signs

Understanding Respite Care for Your Terminally Ill Loved One

Caring for a terminally ill loved one is a challenging and emotional journey that requires strength, compassion, and support. As a hospice registered nurse case manager, I understand the importance of caring for patients, family members, and caregivers. In this article, we will explore the concept of respite care. This valuable resource offers rest and rejuvenation to caregivers while their loved ones receive specialized care in a skilled facility. We will discuss respite care, its importance, Medicare coverage for respite care, the significance of skilled respite facilities, how often respite care can be provided, and tips for making respite care a positive experience for the caregiver and the loved one. Our goal is to empower patients, caregivers, and nurses by providing precise and concise information on this critical aspect of end-of-life care. Remember, you are not alone, and your love and dedication make a significant difference in the life of your terminally ill loved one.

Identifying Patients Who May Benefit from Hospice Care: A Visual Observation Guide for Personal Care Facilities

Identifying when a patient may benefit from hospice care is a critical yet often challenging task. For caregivers, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Medical Technicians (Med Techs), visual observation can be a powerful tool for recognizing signs that suggest a hospice referral might be appropriate. This guide is tailored to assist caregivers in personal care facilities in identifying these signs through visual observation methods, helping provide compassionate and timely end-of-life care.

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