Category: Death and Dying
Articles pertaining to death and dying including the dying process and how clinicians determine how much longer a terminally ill patient has to live.
The Heart of Hospice: Navigating Attachment and Detachment in End-of-Life Care
This article delves into the intricate dynamics of hospice nurses’ relationships with patients, examining the benefits and challenges of emotional investment versus professional detachment.
Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Learn about the differences between pacemakers and ICDs, their functions, and the implications for patients and caregivers. Discover why pacemakers should stay on, and ICDs should be turned off at the end of life for comfort and dignity.
Understanding the Importance of Your Loved One’s Breathing Patterns in End-of-Life Care
Understanding breathing patterns in end-of-life care is crucial for providing comfort to your loved one. Learn about regular vs. irregular breathing rhythms and when to contact hospice for additional support.
Understanding Oxygen Saturation in Hospice Care Navigating Through Numbers for Comfort and Quality of Life
Explore the role of oxygen saturation in hospice care, where comfort takes precedence over numbers. Learn how hospice teams prioritize quality of life, interpret vital signs differently, and make ethical decisions about oxygen use. Discover a compassionate approach focused on dignity and peace.
Understanding Emergency Admissions in Hospice
Emergency admissions in hospice provide rapid care for patients nearing the end of life. This process involves quick referrals, expedited assessments, and immediate provision of necessary equipment and medications. Hospice teams work efficiently to ensure patients receive comfort and support during this critical time.
How Different Types of Illnesses Affect Our Lives and Deaths: A Summary of a Research Paper by Joanne Lynn and Colleagues
Have you ever wondered how different illnesses affect our lives and deaths? How do we cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of our health? How do we plan for our future and make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones?
In this article, we will summarize and discuss the main points and findings of the paper and explore how they relate to our own lives and deaths. We will also provide practical and actionable suggestions for you to cope with and plan for your and your loved ones’ trajectories. We aim to help you understand the different types of illness trajectories, how they affect our lives and deaths, and how we can prepare for them.
The Myth of Medications and Terminal Illness: How to Cope with the Reality of Losing a Loved One
Discover the truth behind the myth that medications can keep terminally ill patients alive indefinitely. This article explores the psychological factors behind this belief and its consequences while providing compassionate strategies to cope with the reality of losing a loved one while ensuring quality end-of-life care.
Hospice Nursing Visits in the Last Two Weeks vs. Last Six Months of Life
Navigating the intricate path of hospice care involves a nuanced understanding of the unique needs of terminally ill patients. The frequency and nature of nursing visits are crucial in ensuring optimal comfort and support during the final stages of life. This article will delve into the variations in hospice nursing visits, explicitly comparing the last two weeks to the preceding six months.
Understanding the Prognosis of Six Months or Less: A Guide for Hospice Families
Navigating the prognosis of six months or less for hospice care can be daunting. Learn how to understand, prepare for, and make the most of this crucial time.
Full Code vs DNR: The Implications for Terminally Ill Patients and Their Caregivers
Choosing between full code and DNR for terminally ill patients can be challenging. This article explains the differences, benefits, and drawbacks of helping caregivers and families make informed decisions.
Pros and Cons of Antibiotics in the Last Month of Life
Explore the complex decision of using antibiotics in end-of-life care. This article weighs the potential benefits against risks, considering comfort, quality of life, and ethical concerns. Learn how to make informed choices with your healthcare team for compassionate, patient-centered care in life's final stages.
Demystifying Death: Why Hiding the Dying Process from Children Harms Society’s Future
Shielding children from death deprives them of understanding this natural part of life, leading to emotional and psychological consequences. This article explores why exposing children to the dying process is essential for their development and highlights the role of hospice care in supporting families during this time.
Understanding and Coping with End-of-Life Anger: A Guide for Caregivers
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.
When Death is Imminent – What to Expect from Hospice
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.
Terminal Prognosis vs. Diagnosis: What Families and Caregivers Need to Know
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.
Sleeping as a Prognostication Tool for the Terminally Ill
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.
End of Life Wound Care
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.
Crisis Management at End-of-Life
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.
Understanding Palliative Sedation: A Comprehensive Guide for Hospice Care
This guide covers the essentials of palliative sedation for hospice patients, including ethical dilemmas, timing, recommended medications, and monitoring effectiveness, ensuring comfort during the end-of-life journey.
Kennedy Ulcers: Understanding, Identification, Care, and Significance in the End-of-Life
Kennedy ulcers are skin lesions that can develop in individuals nearing the end of life. This guide explores their appearance, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It offers insights into identifying Kennedy ulcers and providing comfort through pain relief, hygiene, and repositioning. Additionally, it addresses the emotional impact and coping strategies for caregivers and loved ones.
Understanding Self-Soothing Sounds During the End-of-Life
The journey towards the end of life can be a challenging and emotional time, both for the individual facing the end of their life and for their caregivers and family members. One aspect of this journey that may be unfamiliar to many is the presence of self-soothing sounds made by the patient during the transition and actively dying phase. These sounds can be puzzling and sometimes unsettling for caregivers and family members who have never witnessed them. This article will explore self-soothing sounds, why they occur, and how caregivers and family members can distinguish between self-soothing sounds and signs of discomfort.
Understanding the Common Journey Towards End-of-Life
Caring for a terminally ill loved one can be challenging and emotional. As an experienced hospice nurse case manager, you understand the importance of providing compassionate care and support to loved ones and their families. In this educational article, we will explore the common journey that terminally ill loved ones and their caregivers face as they approach the end of life. We will summarize this journey's various aspects, offering guidance and separating fact from fiction.
The Rising Significance of End-of-Life Doulas in Hospice Care
This article delves into the growing importance of End-of-Life Doulas in hospice care. It provides insights into their role, their support to patients and families, and their impact on the quality of end-of-life care.
Introduction to Terminal Illness and Progressive Diseases
When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness or a progressive disease, it can be a daunting and overwhelming experience for families and caregivers. Understanding the terms and concepts associated with these conditions is essential to providing the best possible care and support. This article aims to clarify the complex journey of terminal illnesses and progressive diseases, offering guidance and compassion to those navigating this challenging path.