Category: About Hospice

Articles about hospice dispelling myths and bring more light to end-of-life topics.

Monologue: Non-Hospice Nurse vs. Hospice Nurse

Hospice is very different from other kinds of nursing and health care. Most of us know that doctors and nurses in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other places care a lot about numbers. They check your heartbeat, blood, and other things to see if they are normal. Sometimes, they do things that make you uncomfortable, like putting a tube in your nose, because they want to fix the numbers. But they don’t always think about how you feel. They are trying to fix the numbers, not you, the person. This short story shows you how non-hospice and hospice nurses are different. A hospice nurse cares more about you, the person.
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Post-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to Ask

If you or someone you love has a serious illness that cannot be cured, you may have heard of hospice care. Hospice care is a special kind that focuses on making the patient comfortable and peaceful in their final days. Hospice care also supports the family and caregivers emotionally and spiritually. When a patient joins hospice care, they will have a special meeting with a hospice nurse. This meeting is called the post-admission visit. It is an especially important visit because it will help the patient and the family get to know the hospice team and learn more about the care they will receive. This article will explain what to expect and what to ask during the post-admission visit. We will also provide tips and resources to help you and your loved one make the most of this time. We hope this article will help you feel more prepared and confident about the hospice journey.
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Music Therapy: A Melody of Hope for the Terminally Ill

If you or someone you love is facing a terminal illness, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with it. You may wonder how to cope with the pain, the fear, the grief, and the loss of control. You may also want to find ways to make the most of the time you have left and to leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones. Music therapy is a form of therapy that can help you and your family deal with these issues. It involves using music and musical activities to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages and backgrounds. Music therapy can help you express your feelings, communicate with others, relax your body and mind, cope with pain and stress, enhance your spiritual connection, and create a meaningful life story.
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Hospice Care: A Purist vs. Non-Purist Approach

Dive into the contrasting philosophies of purist and non-purist hospice nurses and doctors. Understand how their views on medication and patient care differ, shaping the terminal phase of a patient’s journey. This article highlights the delicate balance between medical intervention and quality of life in hospice care.
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Hospice Access for Undocumented Immigrants

Welcome to our guide on hospice care for undocumented immigrants. This article is crafted with the utmost empathy to support family members and caregivers as they navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of hospice services and the unique challenges faced by undocumented immigrants during these tender moments.
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Understanding Hospice Eval and Treat Orders

Provider Order To Eval And Treat For Hospice
In the world of healthcare, when a provider writes an order to "Eval and Treat" for hospice, they are asking for a thorough evaluation and a tailored treatment plan. This is specifically meant for patients who are being considered for hospice care. Let's delve into what this means and why it's crucial. What Does "Eval and Treat" for Hospice Mean?
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Optimizing Hospice Respite Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

Caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness can be extremely rewarding but also particularly challenging. You may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or isolated by the demands of caregiving. You may also feel guilty or anxious about taking a break from your loved one. But you deserve time to rest, recharge, and care for yourself. That is why hospice respite care can be a great option for you and your loved one. Hospice respite care is a service that allows you to temporarily place your loved one in a facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice house, where they can receive professional care and support. You can use this time to do whatever you need or want, such as sleeping, working, running errands, visiting friends, or enjoying a hobby. Respite care can last up to five days at a time.
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Traveling While on Hospice: Making the Most of Precious Moments Together

Discover how hospice patients can safely travel and create lasting memories with loved ones. Learn about essential preparations, medical considerations, and tips for a smooth journey. Explore ways to make the most of precious moments together while ensuring comfort and care during travel.
Read MoreTraveling While on Hospice: Making the Most of Precious Moments Together

Navigating Hospice Care in 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

history of the hospice movement
Discover the future of hospice care in 2024. This comprehensive guide explores cutting-edge pain management techniques, telemedicine integration, personalized care plans, and enhanced caregiver support. Learn how hospice services evolve to provide more compassionate and effective end-of-life care for patients and their families.
Read MoreNavigating Hospice Care in 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

Understanding Respite Care for Your Terminally Ill Loved One

hospice levels of care signs
Caring for a terminally ill loved one is a challenging and emotional journey that requires strength, compassion, and support. As a hospice registered nurse case manager, I understand the importance of caring for patients, family members, and caregivers. In this article, we will explore the concept of respite care. This valuable resource offers rest and rejuvenation to caregivers while their loved ones receive specialized care in a skilled facility. We will discuss respite care, its importance, Medicare coverage for respite care, the significance of skilled respite facilities, how often respite care can be provided, and tips for making respite care a positive experience for the caregiver and the loved one. Our goal is to empower patients, caregivers, and nurses by providing precise and concise information on this critical aspect of end-of-life care. Remember, you are not alone, and your love and dedication make a significant difference in the life of your terminally ill loved one.
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Understanding the Patient’s Question: When Will I Die?

Wirlpool
Navigating the tender journey of hospice care, Compassion Crossing offers guidance on addressing the pivotal question of “when?”—a beacon for caregivers seeking solace and understanding in life’s final chapter.
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Identifying Patients Who May Benefit from Hospice Care: A Visual Observation Guide for Personal Care Facilities

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.
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Top 30 FAQs About Hospice: Everything You Need to Know

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.
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A Holistic Approach: Hospice Nursing Assessment vs. Hospital/Nursing Home Assessment

Explore the compassionate approach of hospice nursing assessments, emphasizing patient comfort and dignity over conventional hospital metrics. This article delves into the personalized care that defines hospice evaluations, ensuring a serene transition for patients and families.
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Understanding the Role of a Hospice Volunteer Coordinator

hospice volunteer coordinator
Hospice volunteer coordinators ensure hospice patients receive the compassionate care and support they need during their end-of-life journey. In this article, we will explore the responsibilities of a hospice volunteer coordinator, address common misconceptions about hospice volunteers, and share insights from Hope Eberly, Volunteer Coordinator for Grane Hospice.
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Considering Home Hospice vs. Hospice at a Facility: Making an Informed Decision

Where Do Most Hospice Patients Receive Hospice Care
Deciding on end-of-life care for a loved one is challenging and emotional. One major decision to make is whether to opt for home hospice or hospice care at a facility. Both options have advantages and drawbacks, and understanding the pros and cons can help families make an informed choice. Here, we'll explore the pros and cons of each option and provide key questions that families should ask themselves to aid in their decision-making process.
Read MoreConsidering Home Hospice vs. Hospice at a Facility: Making an Informed Decision

The Hospice Liaison: A Key Role in Hospice Care

hospice liason
This position involves being the first point of contact for families, patients, and facilities, making a lasting impression by offering both compassion and confidence in explaining hospice services. In this discussion, we will delve into the various aspects of the role of the Hospice Liaison, bringing insight from forever Christmas-loving Kathy Naccarato, including its dynamic nature, your dedication to dispelling misconceptions, and the importance of building relationships within the healthcare community.
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Dispelling Myths About Hospice Care

Hospice care is often misunderstood and shrouded in myths that can prevent individuals and families from accessing the compassionate support they need during a challenging time. This article will address common misconceptions about hospice care and provide you with the facts. We aim to empower you with accurate information to make informed decisions when considering hospice for yourself or a loved one.
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Caring in Crisis: Navigating the Challenges of Hospice Care in 2023

history of the hospice movement
Hospice care is a vital form of healthcare dedicated to providing comfort and support to patients in their final stages of life. While it's a relatively recent concept in the United States, with its inception in 1974, it has gained significant popularity, with over half of Medicare beneficiaries in 2020 receiving hospice services. Nevertheless, as we delve into 2023, hospice care confronts several formidable challenges. These include labor shortages, concerns about the quality of care, and the notable presence of for-profit entities in the industry. In this article, we will navigate through the history of hospice care in the United States, its present state in 2023, and the challenges that affect not only hospice patients but also the dedicated staff and providers.
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Reviewing Hospice Eligibility

general hospice criteria
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the key local coverage determination (LCD) facts for different terminal illnesses to avoid admitting patients who are not eligible for services only to be required to refund the money back to Medicare; otherwise, only have the patient on for one benefit period then discharged for failure to decline. These determinations provide guidelines on the coverage of hospice services for specific conditions. If you are the admitting nurse, please do not just admit because you were told to admit by someone, regardless of the position or standing of the person or party that told you to admit. Use your critical thinking and clinical judgment skills to evaluate the patient for admission. Most doctors will write "evaluate and treat" or something to that effect; never lose sight of the "evaluate" portion of the doctor's order. Based on the provided PDF files, as noted in the resources section below, let’s explore some essential information for each terminal illness.
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The Hospice Admission Nurse

hospice admission
This article delves into hospice care with Andrew Viozzi, an adept hospice admission registered nurse. Andrew brings valuable insights into the hospice admission process and the broader spectrum of hospice care. Although Andrew's current position revolves around admissions, his extensive experience encompasses case management, preceptorship, mentorship, and the guidance of new hospice nurses. In this article, we dispel misconceptions, highlight the advantages of hospice care, outline the admission procedure, and emphasize the pivotal role of hospice in end-of-life care.
Read MoreThe Hospice Admission Nurse

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