Category: About Hospice
Articles about hospice dispelling myths and bring more light to end-of-life topics.
The Unsung Heroes of Hospice Care: Celebrating the Vital Role of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
In the realm of hospice care, compassion and comfort take precedence. A team of skilled professionals comes together to offer comprehensive support to patients, their families, and caregivers. Among these essential contributors, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) stand out as unsung heroes, bringing immeasurable value to the field of hospice care. This article delves into the distinctive role CNAs play in hospice, their frequent and meaningful interactions, and their leadership within the hospice team.
Read MoreThe Unsung Heroes of Hospice Care: Celebrating the Vital Role of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)Understanding Hospice Care: Is it Too Early to Start Hospice?
Is it Too Early to Start Hospice?
It's crucial to remember that hospice care is about improving the quality of life for the patient and their family, regardless of the time left. Hospice care can be initiated when the patient's condition is declining and they require comfort-focused care rather than life-prolonging treatments. Starting hospice care early can provide ample time for the patient and their family to benefit from the support and services offered.
If you're unsure when to consider hospice care, consult the patient's primary physician or a hospice care provider. They can guide you through the process and help you make an informed decision based on the patient's needs and circumstances.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Care: Is it Too Early to Start Hospice?What Does Hospice in a Home Setting Look Like?
Caring for a terminally ill loved one can be challenging. Still, with the proper support and understanding, you can help ensure they experience a comfortable and dignified end of life. Hospice care offers specialized medical and emotional support during this time. This guide aims to empower families new to hospice services by providing essential information on what to expect from a hospice provider and how to manage the journey towards a good death.
Read MoreWhat Does Hospice in a Home Setting Look Like?The Life of Least Regrets
The longer I work in hospice, the more I'm reminded about two critical pieces of wisdom: 1) Hospice is about living, and 2) we should all do our best to live a life of least regrets.
While this article is geared towards family members with a terminally ill loved one, as well as my fellow workers in the fields of palliative and hospice care, I believe the thoughts that I will share apply to everyone alive near and far.
Read MoreThe Life of Least RegretsThe Ins and Outs of Hospice Patients Seeing Their Regular Doctor and Specialists
When it comes to hospice care, one common question that arises is whether terminally ill patients should continue seeing their regular doctor or specialists. As an experienced hospice nurse, I have witnessed the benefits and challenges of maintaining these relationships. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hospice patients still visiting their general practitioners and specialists from the perspective of patients and their families.
Read MoreThe Ins and Outs of Hospice Patients Seeing Their Regular Doctor and SpecialistsA Day In The Life Of A Hospice Nurse
What does a typical day, a typical week look like for a visiting hospice registered nurse case manager look like?
Read MoreA Day In The Life Of A Hospice NurseHospice Eligibility and Hospice Recertification — information for families and new hospice nurses
As an experienced hospice nurse, I understand how overwhelming and emotional it can be for terminally ill patients and their loved ones to navigate the hospice process. Hospice care is a compassionate and comprehensive approach to end-of-life care, designed to provide comfort, pain management, and emotional support to patients and their families. However, many people have questions about hospice eligibility and hospice recertification. In this article, I will provide a generalized guide to help you understand these important aspects of hospice care.
Read MoreHospice Eligibility and Hospice Recertification — information for families and new hospice nursesHospice is Comfort Care
I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to understand comfort and discomfort in hospice care. Let’s dive into these terms and how they relate to end-of-life care.
Read MoreHospice is Comfort CareUnderstanding Hospice Comfort Medications
As an experienced hospice nurse, I understand the challenges that terminally ill patients and their families face. One of the biggest challenges is managing symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and nausea. Hospice comfort medications can help provide relief and improve the quality of life for patients in their final days. In this article, we will discuss some of the most used hospice comfort medications and when they might be used for comfort.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Comfort MedicationsUnderstanding PRN Medications for Comfort Care
Hey there, my friend! As an experienced hospice nurse, I understand that managing symptoms for comfort is crucial for terminally ill patients. One of the ways we do this is through PRN medications. Today, I want to help you understand PRN medications and how they can be used in conjunction with scheduled medications.
Read MoreUnderstanding PRN Medications for Comfort CareUnderstanding the Continuous Care Benefit in Hospice Care
Hospice care offers a specialized service known as the Continuous Care Benefit. This unique care type provides crucial 24-hour support to patients who are going through an acute symptom crisis. In this article, we'll delve into what Continuous Care Benefit is, who's eligible for it, how it operates, why it's important, how to access it, and its duration.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Continuous Care Benefit in Hospice CareWhat is Hospice?
Understanding Hospice Care: A Guide for Families
If you or your loved one is facing a serious illness and needs extra care and support, hospice care may be the right choice. Hospice is a special kind of care that helps people who are nearing the end of their lives feel as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
Read MoreWhat is Hospice?Picking a hospice agency to provide hospice services
When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, hospice care can provide comfort and dignity in their final days. Hospice care is a type of palliative care that focuses on relieving pain and symptoms rather than curing the disease. It also offers emotional and spiritual support to the patient and their family.
However, choosing a hospice agency is not easy. Many factors must be considered, such as the quality of care, the agency's location, the level of services, and the patient’s rights. This article will discuss these factors and provide tips on choosing the best hospice agency for your loved one.
Read MorePicking a hospice agency to provide hospice servicesWhat’s the process of getting your loved one on hospice service?
Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and quality of life for people with terminal illnesses and life expectancies of six months or less. While hospice care can be a difficult decision for families, it can also be a source of support and relief during a challenging time. In this article, we will explain the process of getting your loved one into hospice care and answer some common questions.
Read MoreWhat’s the process of getting your loved one on hospice service?Hospice and the Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment — POLST
A review of the implications of each choice for the terminally ill patient as well as the loved ones of those who are terminally ill. This form comes into practice typically under two conditions… no pulse and is not breathing OR has a pulse and/or is breathing (but while not mentioned is typically in the last two weeks of life if no measures are taken with the understanding that any and all measures do not guarantee a longer time frame). Let’s review the form below:
Read MoreHospice and the Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment — POLSTHospice realistic expectations for on-call
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.”
Read MoreHospice realistic expectations for on-callUnderstanding Hospice Benefit Periods
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.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Benefit PeriodsWhat are the levels of care in hospice?
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.
Read MoreWhat are the levels of care in hospice?What exactly does home hospice cover?
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.
Read MoreWhat exactly does home hospice cover?General Inpatient (GIP) Level of Care for Hospice Explained
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.
Read MoreGeneral Inpatient (GIP) Level of Care for Hospice ExplainedWhat is a hospice house?
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.
Read MoreWhat is a hospice house?Hospice is about living!
Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less, focusing on comfort, quality of life, and symptom management. It affirms life and recognizes dying as a natural process, neither hastening nor postponing death. The aim of hospice is to help patients live as fully and comfortably as possible, providing comprehensive support for both the patient and their family. This unique approach to care is exemplified by the stories of patients with terminal cancer who, with the help of hospice, were able to fulfill their final wishes, such as feeling the sun on their face or visiting the beach one last time. These experiences highlight that hospice is not just about dying, but about making the most of the time that remains, finding joy, and creating meaningful moments.
Read MoreHospice is about living!DNR and the Terminally Ill
Navigating conversations about Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders with terminally ill patients and their families can be challenging yet crucial for ensuring that the patient's wishes and comfort are prioritized. The decision between opting for DNR or full code often involves delicate emotions, medical considerations, and ethical concerns. In this article, we will delve into a methodology that has proven effective in facilitating these discussions, particularly in the context of hospice care. Drawing from years of experience and successful outcomes, we'll explore approaches that prioritize compassion, clarity, and patient-centered care. Additionally, we'll reference valuable resources to enhance understanding and guide these critical conversations.
Read MoreDNR and the Terminally IllEnd-of-Life Decisions: Don’t wait until it’s too late for advanced directives
Autonomy, the right to receive or refuse medical treatment is a crucial element of health care ethics (American Nurses Association (ANA), 2011; Plakovic, 2016). Nurses are involved in helping patients and families be aware of when end-of-life is occurring, and in educating the patient and family about end-of-life legislation that helps guide everyone committed to continue the right of patient autonomy when the patient is no longer able to express their wishes. Before the Patient Self Determination Act, we had the famous cases of Karen Ann Quinlan and Nancy Cruzan who were, from a point-of-view, forced to suffer for ten or more years of futile treatment (Miller, 2017). Now, we have advanced directives that allow patients to express their wishes while they are able, yet we still have ethical dilemmas when either those needs are expressed vaguely or not at all. It is in the best interest of the patient and the patient's loved ones for advanced directives to be utilized and kept up to date.
Read MoreEnd-of-Life Decisions: Don’t wait until it’s too late for advanced directives