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.

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.

When Love is Not Enough: Addressing the Hidden Crisis of Hospice Family Caregivers

About Hospice, Advocacy, Caregiving Tips, Dark Side, Ethical Dilemma, Ethics, Hospice, Hospice Care Team, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks

Caring for a terminally ill loved one at home is an incredibly challenging and emotional journey for family caregivers. This guide acknowledges the struggles you may face and offers compassionate solutions. It explores valuable resources, such as end-of-life doulas, PACE programs, and professional home care services, all designed to help ease your burden and provide support during this difficult time. You are not alone in this experience; there are ways to find relief and comfort as you navigate these profound challenges.

How Legacy Projects Create Healing Pathways to Closure for Patients and Families

Bereavement and Grief, Caregiving Tips, Death and Dying, Hospice, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Legacy projects offer powerful pathways to closure for both patients facing end-of-life and their families. From memory quilts to ethical wills, these meaningful activities transform difficult goodbyes into lasting connections, reduce anxiety, and provide comfort during grief while preserving precious memories.

Making Informed POLST Decisions: A Compassionate Guide for Patients, Families, and Healthcare Teams

Advance Directives, Advocacy, Best Practice, Caregiving Tips, DNR, Ethics, Full Code, Hospice, Palliative Care, POLST, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

This comprehensive guide helps patients, families, and healthcare professionals confidently navigate POLST decisions. Learn the essential steps, understand your options, and ensure your end-of-life care wishes are honored through proper planning and communication.

The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare: How Palliative Care Nurses Transform Patient Care Beyond Terminal Diagnoses

Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Palliative care nurses serve as the cornerstone of compassionate healthcare, providing comfort and support to patients with serious illnesses at any stage—not just at end of life. These dedicated professionals bridge the gap between medical treatment and holistic care, ensuring patients and families receive comprehensive support through their healthcare journey.

Palliative Care Awareness: What Older Adults Want for Serious Illness Care

Palliative Care, Symptom Management

A new Age-Friendly Insights Poll reveals that adults 50 and older support palliative care once they understand what it offers. This article explores the poll findings, discusses the importance of palliative care education, and highlights key preferences of older adults regarding serious illness planning and care.

Bridging the Gap: Palliative Care’s Role in Supporting Rare Disease Patients

Palliative Care

Explore the crucial role of palliative care in supporting patients with rare diseases. Learn how this specialized approach can enhance quality of life, manage complex symptoms, and provide essential support for patients and caregivers.

Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Subtle Precursor to Dementia

Dementia, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by cognitive decline that is more significant than expected for an individual of age but not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life. This article explores MCI's symptoms, diagnosis, and potential progression to dementia, offering insights into prevention and management strategies.

Navigating Care Options: A Family Guide to Acute, Palliative, and Hospice Care

Caregiving Tips, Hospice, Palliative Care, Tips and Tricks

Discover when and how acute, palliative, and hospice care can help patients and families navigate serious illness. This comprehensive guide explains the differences between care types, eligibility requirements, and how to choose the correct option.

Navigating Swallowing Challenges in Dementia: A Comprehensive Guide

Artificial Nutrition, Dementia, Dysphagia, Hospice, Nutrition, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness, Tube Feeding

Learn about swallowing problems in dementia patients, including symptoms, risks, and management strategies for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Understanding the Most Prevalent Form of Dementia

Dementia, Hospice, Non-Pharmacological, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness

Delve into the complexities of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. This article examines its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options while discussing the challenges patients and caregivers face. Learn about ongoing research and potential breakthroughs in the fight against this devastating neurological disorder.

Navigating the Maze of Dementia: A Comprehensive Guide to Cognitive Decline

Dementia, Hospice, Non-Pharmacological, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness

Delve into the world of dementia with our comprehensive guide. Understand its progression, learn about risk factors and prevention, explore diagnosis and treatment options, and discover coping strategies for cognitive decline. Empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate the challenges of dementia.

Comprehensive Guide to Managing Clostridium difficile Infections in the Elderly

Palliative Care, Symptom Management

Explore comprehensive strategies for preventing, detecting, and treating Clostridium difficile infections in the elderly. Understand the risk factors, symptoms, and effective treatments to improve patient care and outcomes.

Understanding ME/CFS: A Caregiver’s Guide to Non-Medical Support and End-of-Life Care

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

This comprehensive guide helps caregivers, families, and end-of-life professionals understand ME/CFS, providing practical tools for non-medical support. Learn about the disease trajectory from onset to end-of-life care, including when palliative and hospice care should be considered for optimal patient comfort and well-being.

Understanding Bacteremia and Sepsis in the Geriatric Population: A Comprehensive Guide

Palliative Care, Symptom Management

This comprehensive article explores bacteremia and sepsis in the elderly, examining prevention, early detection, and treatment. Understand the unique challenges and effective strategies for managing these conditions in older adults.

Comprehensive Guide to Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Elderly

Case Studies, Palliative Care, Symptom Management

Discover comprehensive strategies for preventing, detecting, and treating skin and soft tissue infections in the elderly. This guide covers critical aspects, including hygiene practices, early signs of infection, and effective treatment options.

Safeguarding Seniors: A Comprehensive Guide to Respiratory Infections in the Elderly

Palliative Care, Symptom Management

Learn essential strategies for preventing, detecting, and treating respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and influenza, in older adults. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights for caregivers and healthcare professionals working with the geriatric population.

Understanding and Managing Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly: A Comprehensive Guide

Palliative Care, Symptom Management

Urinary Tract Infections

This comprehensive guide explores urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the elderly, covering unique challenges, prevention strategies, early detection methods, diagnosis, treatment approaches, and long-term management to ensure better health outcomes for older adults.

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