Ativan, generically called Lorazepam, pills can be easily melted into liquid, and given to your loved one in a syringe. This is typically done vs. putting the pill under the tongue if your loved one has a dry mouth, and the Ativan pills are not melting under the tongue.
The process of melting lorazepam into a liquid will require the following resources:
This short article is meant for hospice patients, family members, and friends.
It’s common to read various social media posts where a patient, family member, or friend does the right thing by calling their hospice provider to alert them of a change of condition or otherwise significant issue for on-call to come out for an unscheduled visit. Also, common is follow up posts where the writer asked, “it’s been ______ (minutes, hours) since the call, I hope they show up.”
Naomi Feil is an expert in gerontology and the creator of validation therapy, which is a means of communicating and acknowledging the internal reality of patients with dementia. When properly utilized, validation therapy can enhance the quality of life of patients with dementia as well as reduce stress on the family and caregivers.
While Naomi Feil and her followers (of which the writer of this article may be considered one, at least in form) focus on using this method of communication to maintain health with the potential for a level of restorative health, I want to share how the concepts of this method can be used during times of crisis.
This article explores the delicate balance of providing food and liquids to the dying and navigating the complexities of end-of-life care. It addresses the emotional and ethical considerations, offering guidance for caregivers during this profound phase.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging. This article provides insights into understanding dementia, its stages, and practical tips for caregivers. Learn about the FAST Scale, validation therapy, and when hospice care might be appropriate to ensure compassionate and effective support.
There are several things that go on behind the scenes when you or your loved one is admitted to a hospice provider. Some of them you may never see because it doesn’t impact the care provided and received. Others like the hospice benefit periods may only come out of the woodwork (so to write) at certain times and can either cause joy or distress depending on one’s point of view.
The goal of this article is to keep it simple and smile (my version of the K.I.S.S. principal) understanding of hospice benefit periods. When a person is first admitted to a hospice provider (having never been on hospice), they start off (behind the scenes) in benefit period number one. This is the first half (90-days/3-months) of the estimated six-months or less to live. Benefit period number two is the second half (3 more months/90-days). And since a terminal illness doesn’t come with guarantees that one will pass in six months or less, Medicare allows for (with fine print through the entire journey) an unlimited number of sixty-day (two months at a time) benefit periods.
This article is meant to help families and new hospice staff understand the four hospice care levels. According to Medicare guidelines, several levels of care govern hospice services in the United States of America, whether the patient uses Medicare or not.
There are observation and interviewing skills you can develop which will help you learn:
What could cause the current change in condition
Determining if a patient is having terminal restlessness
Determining if your patient is within two weeks or less of life to live
Knowing where your patient is in the dying process
While this article is primarily meant for new nurses, what I’m sharing is also valuable for family members and loved ones. Anyone with patience and love toward the person being observed and interviewed can hone and develop these skills.
As nurses, when we see an acute change of condition, part of what we should be doing in our assessment is determining if there are reversible or treatable elements that are causing the change. In RN school, Dr. Dagen taught the students about using the D.O.G. mnemonic to help us remember that if a patient has an acute change of condition to check whether there were new medications the patient is taking, their O2 saturation level and their glucose level.
I would further add that as a hospice nurse dealing with mainly geriatric patients that if there is an altered level of consciousness (LOC)/personality change, to also consider the patient may have an infection. For any of you dealing with geriatric patients add “I” for infection, hence “D.O.G.I.” While this mnemonic is typically used for acute changes of level of consciousness, the thought process behind it can be used for other acute change of patient condition as well.
Faith and religion in the workplace: Yes, faith has a place in work, and when utilized to direct how one works and interacts with one's patients and families, it can result in a blessing that does not disrespect others.
This article came to be partly a response to one of my favorite YouTube nursing channels, where Nurse Katherine provides educational videos for new and experienced nurses. Her most recent episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lE9O1I3LQ asks the valid question relating to the place of “Religion, Beliefs, and the practice of Medicine | should & can they be combined?”
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.
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.
Hospice care is a vital service that provides compassionate and specialized support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, particularly when they receive care at home. Understanding what home hospice covers is essential for patients and their families to ensure comprehensive and personalized end-of-life care. This article aims to shed light on the various aspects of home hospice care, including medications, durable medical equipment, staffing support, and expertise in managing the natural dying process. By delving into these details, individuals can make informed decisions and better comprehend the valuable assistance hospice care provides during this sensitive time.
Falls among the elderly can have severe consequences, including hip fractures, which can be life-threatening. As an experienced hospice registered nurse case manager, I understand the importance of fall prevention, especially in private homes, personal care homes, and assisted living facilities. This article aims to provide practical tips for reducing falls in these settings by following the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
GIP, or General Inpatient Hospice, is an often misunderstood aspect of hospice care. Both hospital staff and families sometimes have misconceptions about GIP. Families may assume it's readily available upon request, while hospital professionals may believe it allows patients to remain in the hospital indefinitely, even when death is weeks away. This article will clarify the basics of GIP for hospice, including eligibility requirements, doctor's orders, care plans, documentation, and education. We'll conclude with two real-life cases to illustrate these points.
A hospice house is a peaceful, home-like residence where terminally ill people receive short-term hospice care. It is designed to provide a setting as close to home as possible, allowing for more freedom than a traditional facility. Hospice houses are typically run by not-for-profit organizations and are financed by donations, making them more economical for families who cannot afford skilled nursing facilities. Unlike inpatient hospice units (IPUs), hospice houses work with several hospice providers, allowing families to choose the provider that best suits their needs. They also follow a more flexible visitation policy, allowing families to visit 24x7 without appointments.
One of the hardest lessons to learn as a nurse, in my experience and opinion, is the psychosocial skills necessary to help patients and their families work towards their healthcare goals. These skills are applicable to every field. While I, myself, am still growing as a registered nurse (heading towards my 5th year at the time of writing this article), I would like to share with you some of the lessons learned. These lessons are based on real-life cases where I will present the scenario, what I did that worked, and what I internally thought of opposite scenarios.
Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, can be a distressing symptom for patients at the end of their life journey. As a hospice nurse, your expertise in managing this symptom is crucial in ensuring a peaceful and comfortable experience for your patients and their families.
