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.

Bridging the Care Gap: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Hospices in the Age of Telehealth

End-of-Life Doula, Hospice, Palliative Care

Hospice agencies worldwide face critical staffing shortages, leading to increased reliance on telehealth services. While virtual care helps bridge gaps, the absence of on-site presence creates challenges in patient care. End-of-life doulas offer a compassionate solution, providing essential non-medical support that complements telehealth hospice services and ensures comprehensive care for patients and families.

Mastering IDT Notes: How the PIE Method Transforms Hospice Documentation

Best Practice, Documentation, Hospice, Tips and Tricks, Tips For Nurses

Discover how the PIE method (Problem-Intervention-Evaluation) can transform your hospice IDT note writing. This simple framework helps nurses create focused, compliant documentation even when patients are stable and well-managed.

How Hospice Extends Life and Enhances Quality for the Terminally Ill

About Hospice, Case Studies, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness

Hospice care not only provides comfort but can also extend the lives of terminally ill patients. Learn how holistic support and compassionate care improve longevity and quality of life.

How End-of-Life Doula Training Creates Better Hospice Experiences for Patients and Families

Advocacy, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care

End-of-life doulas are transforming hospice care quality through specialized training and collaborative partnerships. Learn how these compassionate professionals enhance patient experiences, support families, and improve hospice satisfaction scores when properly integrated into care teams.

The Hidden Reality of Dialysis: Understanding Life Support, Quality of Life, and Planning Ahead

Advance Directives, Advocacy, End Stage Renal Disease, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness

Dialysis is a choice, not a requirement for end-stage kidney disease. While this life support treatment can extend life, it significantly impacts quality of life through fatigue, time constraints, and physical challenges. You have the right to choose comfort care and hospice instead. Learn why discussing dialysis preferences should be part of every living will and how end-of-life doulas can help navigate these important decisions.

When Time Becomes Finite: Navigating the Emotional Aftermath of a Terminal Diagnosis

About Hospice, Bereavement and Grief, Caregiving Tips, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care, Terminal Illness, Tips and Tricks

A terminal diagnosis sends shockwaves through the lives of patients and their loved ones. This article delves into the trauma experienced by all involved, examining the intricate challenges faced by hospice and palliative care providers in offering compassionate support while navigating the complex emotional landscape of end-of-life care.

When Fear Prevents Care: How Death Anxiety Threatens Hospice Nursing Excellence

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

Nursing students' fear of death significantly impacts their readiness for hospice care, affecting the quality of end-of-life services. With severe staffing shortages and insufficient mentorship, new nurses enter hospice unprepared. End-of-life doula education through programs like IDLM provides crucial solutions.

Navigating the Minefield: Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Geriatric and End-of-Life Care

Best Practice, Ethics, Hospice, Medication Reconciliation, Medications, Non-Pharmacological, Palliative Care, Symptom Management

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

Delve into the complexities of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for older adults, especially those in hospice and palliative care. This comprehensive guide explores identification, risks, and alternatives to PIMs, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals to enhance medication safety and quality of life for geriatric patients.

When Death Comes Unexpectedly: Why Being Prepared Matters More Than Ever

Advance Directives, Advocacy, Bereavement and Grief, Dark Side, Death and Dying, End-of-Life Doula, Ethics, Hospice, Palliative Care

Every year, thousands die in emergency departments unprepared for death. Sudden death in hospitals can be especially shocking for patients and families who haven't planned ahead. This guide highlights why preparation is important and describes how end-of-life doulas can assist.

The Adult Priority You Can’t Afford to Skip: Your Complete Advance Directive

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

If you're 18 or older without an advance directive, you're putting yourself and your loved ones at risk. This comprehensive guide explains why every adult—regardless of age—should prioritize creating a thorough living will reviewed every 3-6 months, and how end-of-life doulas can help.

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.