Articles to empower you with end-of-life care

Compassion Crossing, LLC

Guiding Life's Journey with Care

Compassion Crossing, LLC

Guiding Life's Journey with Care

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

About Hospice, Caregiving Tips, Death and Dying, End of Life, Hospice, Prognostication, Starting Hospice, Terminal Illness, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

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.

Top 30 FAQs About Hospice: Everything You Need to Know

About Hospice, Bereavement and Grief, Hospice

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.

The Dying Process at the End of Life

Actively Dying, Death and Dying, Dying Process, End of Life, Hospice, How Much Longer, Last Hours, Prognostication, Transitioning

The dying process involves physical and emotional changes as the body shuts down. As the heart weakens, circulation slows, leading to cold hands and feet, pale skin, and drowsiness. Breathing becomes irregular and shallow. The patient may experience delirium or visions. Providing comfort through pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care is crucial.

Is my loved one starving or being dehydrated to death?

Death and Dying, Dying Process, End of Life, Hospice, Nutrition, Nutrition At End Of Life, Terminal Illness

When a loved one nears the end of life, it’s natural to worry about their nutrition and hydration. This article explains why they may not need food or water and how you can provide comfort during this time.

How a Well-Planned Vigil Transforms the Final Journey for Everyone Involved

Bereavement and Grief, Caregiving Tips, Death and Dying, End-of-Life Doula, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness, Tips and Tricks

Learn why planning a death vigil early with an end-of-life doula creates meaningful final moments, reduces family stress, and helps prevent complicated grief. Discover the profound benefits of this sacred practice for everyone involved.

Staying Connected Through Health Journeys: A CaringBridge Guide for Families and End-of-Life Doulas

Advocacy, Caregiving Tips, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks

Discover how CaringBridge helps families and end-of-life doulas stay connected during health journeys. This free platform offers privacy controls, easy updates, and community support for chronic illness, terminal illness, and life transitions.

When Family Goes Silent: Finding Help When Loved Ones Won’t Step Up

Advocacy, Caregiving Tips, Dark Side, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks

Primary caregivers often face difficult emotions of isolation when loved ones step back during a chronic or terminal illness. This article thoughtfully addresses these feelings, delves into the reasons for this distance, and provides constructive communication strategies to foster reconnection with hesitant family members. It also highlights alternative support avenues for caregivers, ensuring they feel valued and supported.

Enhancing Patient Care: Recognizing Subtle Changes in Level of Consciousness for Hospice and Palliative Nurses

Assessment, Best Practice, Documentation, Ethics, Hospice, Medications, Non-Pharmacological, Nurse Skills, Palliative Care, Symptom Management, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Discover essential techniques for hospice and palliative care nurses to identify subtle changes in patients' level of consciousness. This comprehensive guide covers assessment methods, red flags, and best practices for enhancing patient care—valuable insights for neurological nursing specialists and those aspiring to specialize in this field.

Safeguarding Seniors: Essential Monitoring of High-Risk Medications in Geriatric Care

Best Practice, Caregiving Tips, Hospice, Medication Reconciliation, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

A Spoonful Of Pills

Understanding the potential risks associated with certain medications in the geriatric population is crucial. This article explores the top five medication classes that require close monitoring to reduce the incidence of syncope, falls, and mortality events in older adults. Learn how to optimize medication management for safer patient care.

Safeguarding Geriatric Health: The Crucial Role of Regular BEERS Criteria Reviews

Best Practice, Caregiving Tips, Hospice, Medication Reconciliation, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Medication Related Errors Are The 3rd Leading Cause Of Death In The Usa

The BEERS Criteria is vital for improving medication safety in older adults. This article explores the importance of regularly reviewing these guidelines, discussing the frequency of reviews, the potential risks of inappropriate medications, and how healthcare providers can implement effective medication management strategies for geriatric patients.

Hospice General Inpatient Care: Transforming End-of-Life Experiences Through Real-World Case Studies

About Hospice, Case Studies, Hospice, Palliative Care

Dive into hospice General Inpatient (GIP) care through real-life case studies. Discover how GIP can support patients with complex symptoms, learn about eligibility criteria, and understand why this valuable hospice benefit remains underutilized.

When Goodbye Isn’t Clear: Understanding and Healing from Ambiguous Loss

Advocacy, Bereavement and Grief, Caregiving Tips, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Ambiguous loss is a type of grief that happens when loss feels unclear or unfinished. Unlike traditional grief, this emotional pain lacks closure, making it harder to process. Learn to recognize the signs of ambiguous loss and discover practical healing strategies to help you move forward with hope.

When Hearts Collide: A Gentle Guide to Resolving Any Conflict

Caregiving Tips, Ethical Dilemma, Ethics, Hospice, Non-Pharmacological, Palliative Care, Symptom Management, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Conflict happens in every relationship and setting. This practical guide teaches a proven 7-step approach developed by conflict resolution experts to recognize, prevent, and resolve disagreements compassionately. Learn essential de-escalation tools for better communication and stronger relationships.

Essential Guide to Hospice GIP Discharge Planning: From Admission to Transition

Compliance, Documentation, Hospice, Palliative Care

This guide covers critical aspects of Hospice GIP discharge planning. From initial evaluation to managing symptoms and effective discharge strategies, this article equips hospice nurses and families with the necessary knowledge for optimal care transitions.

Transforming End-of-Life Care: A Holistic Approach to Palliative Care in Nursing Homes

Case Studies, Hospice, Palliative Care

women using a rollator walking down a hallway

Discover how to revolutionize palliative care in nursing homes with our comprehensive guide. From staff training to pain management, learn about the latest approaches to ensure dignity and comfort for residents in their final stages of life. Explore practical solutions to common challenges and find out how to create a more compassionate care environment.

Understanding Neurostorming: A Comprehensive Guide for Caregivers and Families

Caregiving Tips, Non-Pharmacological, Palliative Care, Symptom Management, Tips and Tricks

Neurostorming is a complex condition that occurs after severe brain injury, causing episodes of elevated heart rate, blood pressure, fever, and muscle rigidity. This comprehensive guide helps caregivers, family members, and healthcare professionals understand prevention strategies, early detection methods, home management techniques, and advocacy approaches to reduce hospitalizations while providing compassionate care.

Navigating the Complexities of Hospice GIP Care: Ensuring Compliance and Quality

About Hospice, Compliance, Hospice, Palliative Care

Explore the challenges of hospice General Inpatient (GIP) care, including inappropriate billing and fraud risks. Discover how hospice RN case managers can ensure compliance and quality care through diligent oversight and documentation from admission to discharge.

Understanding Hospice General Inpatient Care (GIP): Why and When It’s Appropriate

About Hospice, Case Studies, Compliance, Hospice, Hospice Eligibility, Palliative Care

Explore why and when Hospice General Inpatient Care (GIP) is appropriate, Medicare compliance, eligibility, and what to do if a patient is ineligible.

Navigating Family Denial: Supporting Loved Ones in Terminal Care

Advance Directives, Caregiving Tips, Death and Dying, Ethical Dilemma, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness, Tips and Tricks

When a family can't accept that their loved one is dying, it creates additional stress during an already challenging time. This article offers guidance on communicating with denial, supporting the patient, managing family dynamics, and finding professional help. Learn practical strategies to navigate this sensitive situation with compassion and understanding.

Hospice Inpatient Care: GIP vs. Facility-Based Options

About Hospice, Hospice, Palliative Care

Discover the differences between hospice general inpatient care (GIP) at a hospital and inpatient care at a facility without a GIP level. Understand eligibility, benefits, and when to choose each type of care for your loved ones.

Understanding Hospice General Inpatient (GIP) Care: Dispelling Common Misconceptions

About Hospice, Compliance, Hospice, Hospice Eligibility, Palliative Care

This comprehensive article delves into Hospice General Inpatient Care, debunks common misconceptions, and explains its importance in end-of-life care.

Achieving HCI Excellence: The Ten Moments That Matter Most in Hospice Care

Compliance, Hospice, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Transform your hospice's quality outcomes with Jose Escobar's proven Polaris 10/10 HCI Execution Framework. This comprehensive guide reveals the ten critical moments that drive hospice excellence and offers practical strategies for executives and clinicians to achieve perfect HCI scores.