Empowering caregivers, families, and nurses in end-of-life care
Author: Peter Abraham, BSN, RN
Peter Abraham is a seasoned nurse committed to supporting nurses, caregivers, families, and patients in their learning, growth, and well-being journey. His extensive nursing career includes practical experience as a cardiac telemetry nurse in a dynamic cardiology unit at a Magnet-awarded teaching hospital. Additionally, Peter has served as a second-shift RN supervisor, managing an entire building in a Skilled Nursing Facility/Long-Term Care (SNF/LTC) setting with 151 residents. Notably, during the initial wave of COVID-19, the facility achieved an impressive near-100% recovery rate before the completion of Operation Warp Speed.
Peter's nursing career also extends to rural home hospice care. As a visiting hospice registered nurse case manager, he provides compassionate care to patients in various settings, including private homes, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. His dedication to compassionate care led to the establishment of the Peter Abraham Wound Care Scholarship, which offers education in wound care. This scholarship, associated with the theme of "Wound Care: Enhancing Healthcare for the Aging Population," underscores Peter's commitment to improving care for those in need.
Discover how to navigate the complex emotions of end-of-life care, particularly anger. This comprehensive guide offers caregivers practical strategies for understanding, managing, and coping with personality changes in terminally ill loved ones.
Learn about various financial assistance options available for terminally ill patients who need hospice or palliative care but lack Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or the means to self-pay.
Discover the language of compassionate end-of-life care with this guide to common medical abbreviations and terminology in hospice. From team member roles to levels of care and clinical terms, this article provides valuable insights for patients, families, and caregivers navigating the hospice journey.
Explore why side effects from medications can emerge after initial use and understand the critical need for vigilant monitoring and regular medication reconciliation to ensure patient safety and efficacy.
Understanding vision changes in dementia is vital for caregivers. Learn how dementia affects vision and find practical tips to support your loved one, ensuring their comfort and safety.
In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Nurse Peter Abraham. Peter shares his extensive experience in cardiac telemetry, skilled nursing, and rural home hospice care. They discuss the significance of early hospice enrollment, the challenges of caring for dementia and Parkinson's patients, and the impactful personal stories from Peter's career. Special focus is given to the educational resources on Peter's website, Compassion Crossing, which aims to support families, caregivers, and new hospice nurses. Peter emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in hospice care and reflects on how his faith informs his practice.
Learn about uncommon opioid side effects like myoclonus and hyperalgesia, and how they impact you and your family. This guide explains these conditions, offers tips for managing them, and highlights the role of hospice in providing comfort and support.
As mergers and acquisitions reshape the hospice industry, questions arise about their impact on care quality. This article examines the pros and cons of consolidation, including the expansion of for-profit providers and the challenges of maintaining local identities under corporate ownership. Discover how these changes affect patients, families, and communities in the evolving landscape of end-of-life care.
Understanding Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD) is crucial for providing the best care. This guide helps families know what to expect and how to support their loved ones through these challenging conditions.
Hospice nurses are crucial in comforting and supporting patients nearing death and their families. This article explores what to expect from hospice care, focusing on patient assessments, educational discussions, and addressing common family concerns.
Navigate the challenges of Korsakoff Dementia with our comprehensive guide. Learn to recognize symptoms, understand stages, and provide compassionate care for your loved one.
Discover how oral ketamine is emerging as a game-changer in palliative care, offering rapid relief for severe depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. This comprehensive guide explores its potential benefits, administration methods, and important considerations for patients and healthcare providers.
RUSH Medical Center's Caring for Caregivers (C4C) program offers vital support to those caring for adults 60 and older at home. Learn about the program's comprehensive approach, including skill-building sessions, planning assistance, and care-team coordination. Discover how C4C makes a difference in caregivers' lives and improves patient outcomes.
A compassionate guide for families navigating esophageal cancer. Understand its types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and ways to provide care and support.
Learn the difference between a terminal prognosis and a diagnosis, and get practical tips and resources to help you and your loved one navigate this challenging time.
Sleep patterns can help estimate how close a terminally ill person is to dying. Learn how changes in sleep can indicate approaching death and how to support your loved one during this time.
Discover how "poop muffins" and "power pudding" can help maintain regular bowel movements. These fiber-rich recipes are especially beneficial for those experiencing constipation, including the elderly and individuals on certain medications. Learn how to make these tasty, digestive-friendly treats at home.
Understanding bowel movements in terminally ill patients is crucial for their comfort and dignity. This guide offers practical tips for caregivers and hospice nurses to manage constipation, diarrhea, and other bowel issues, ensuring patients' better quality of life.
Understanding when and how to revoke services is crucial in hospice care. This article aims to shed light on revoking hospice services, why it may be necessary, misconceptions surrounding it, and the potential impact when patients or their families decide to restart hospice care.
Explore comprehensive approaches to managing hallucinations in loved ones with dementia. This article covers pharmacological methods, focusing on Seroquel and non-drug strategies such as Naomi Feil's validation therapy. Learn how to validate feelings, de-escalate fear, and improve the quality of life for those experiencing cognitive impairment.
Discover how to use the CUS tool and Caring Feedback Model to advocate for your loved one's health. This guide empowers caregivers to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.
End-of-life wound care is crucial for patient comfort and dignity. This guide covers practical tips for preventing infection, managing symptoms, and supporting caregivers during this sensitive time. Learn how to make wound care a compassionate part of hospice and palliative care.
Identifying end-stage Parkinson's for hospice admission can be challenging. This article explores key criteria, including decline in function, weight loss, swallowing difficulties, and mobility issues. Learn how hospice professionals assess patients and utilize guidelines to ensure appropriate and timely hospice care for those with advanced Parkinson's disease.
Discover effective strategies for managing end-of-life crises in hospice care. Learn how to recognize signs of distress, implement calming techniques, and provide compassionate support to patients and families. This guide offers practical tips for hospice nurses and caregivers to navigate challenging situations with confidence and empathy.
