Category: Terminal Illness
Articles about terminal illnesses that one typically sees and cares for on hospice.
Senility vs. Dementia: What You Need to Know
Do you worry about a loved one's memory issues or odd behavior? Learn the key differences between senility and dementia, their symptoms, causes, and ways to manage or prevent them. Understanding these conditions can help you offer better support and care for those affected.
Five Most Common Types of Dementia
Dementia encompasses various brain disorders affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. This comprehensive guide delves into the five most common types: Alzheimer's, Vascular, Mixed, Lewy Body, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Gain insights into their distinct symptoms, underlying causes, diagnostic methods, and tailored care approaches to support individuals and caregivers navigating these challenging conditions.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver with Ascites: A Guide for Families
Discover crucial information about alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver with ascites in this comprehensive guide for caregivers and family members. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and practical tips for providing care. Understand what to expect in the terminal stage and find resources for emotional support during this challenging journey.
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.
How to Find Support When Your Loved One Has Dementia
This article will give you more knowledge, confidence, and comfort in dealing with dementia. You will also learn how to connect with people who share your experiences and challenges and can offer you emotional, practical, and informational support. You will realize that you are not alone and can make a difference in your loved one’s life.
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.
Late-Onset Medication Side Effects: The Importance of Continuous Vigilance and Medication Reconciliation
Explore why side effects from medications can emerge after initial use and understand the critical need for vigilant monitoring and regular medication reconciliation to ensure patient safety and efficacy.
Vision Changes Over the Stages of Dementia: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
Understanding vision changes in dementia is vital for caregivers. Learn how dementia affects vision and find practical tips to support your loved one, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Understanding Hospice Care: Insights from Nurse Peter Abraham
In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Nurse Peter Abraham. Peter shares his extensive experience in cardiac telemetry, skilled nursing, and rural home hospice care. They discuss the significance of early hospice enrollment, the challenges of caring for dementia and Parkinson's patients, and the impactful personal stories from Peter's career. Special focus is given to the educational resources on Peter's website, Compassion Crossing, which aims to support families, caregivers, and new hospice nurses. Peter emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in hospice care and reflects on how his faith informs his practice.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s: A Guide for Families
Understanding Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD) is crucial for providing the best care. This guide helps families know what to expect and how to support their loved ones through these challenging conditions.
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.
Understanding Korsakoff Dementia: A Guide for Families
Navigate the challenges of Korsakoff Dementia with our comprehensive guide. Learn to recognize symptoms, understand stages, and provide compassionate care for your loved one.
Oral Ketamine in Palliative Care: A Promising Approach for Emotional and Psychological Distress
Discover how oral ketamine is emerging as a game-changer in palliative care, offering rapid relief for severe depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. This comprehensive guide explores its potential benefits, administration methods, and important considerations for patients and healthcare providers.
RUSH Medical Center’s Caring for Caregivers: Supporting Those Who Support Others
RUSH Medical Center's Caring for Caregivers (C4C) program offers vital support to those caring for adults 60 and older at home. Learn about the program's comprehensive approach, including skill-building sessions, planning assistance, and care-team coordination. Discover how C4C makes a difference in caregivers' lives and improves patient outcomes.
Understanding Esophageal Cancer: A Guide for Families
A compassionate guide for families navigating esophageal cancer. Understand its types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and ways to provide care and support.
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.
Understanding Bowel Movements in Terminally Ill Patients
Understanding bowel movements in terminally ill patients is crucial for their comfort and dignity. This guide offers practical tips for caregivers and hospice nurses to manage constipation, diarrhea, and other bowel issues, ensuring patients' better quality of life.
Empowering Caregivers: Effective Communication with Healthcare Providers
Discover how to use the CUS tool and Caring Feedback Model to advocate for your loved one's health. This guide empowers caregivers to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.
Comprehensive Approaches to Managing Hallucinations in Dementia Patients
Explore comprehensive approaches to managing hallucinations in loved ones with dementia. This article covers pharmacological methods, focusing on Seroquel and non-drug strategies such as Naomi Feil's validation therapy. Learn how to validate feelings, de-escalate fear, and improve the quality of life for those experiencing cognitive impairment.
How to Identify End-Stage Parkinson’s for Hospice Admission
Identifying end-stage Parkinson's for hospice admission can be challenging. This article explores key criteria, including decline in function, weight loss, swallowing difficulties, and mobility issues. Learn how hospice professionals assess patients and utilize guidelines to ensure appropriate and timely hospice care for those with advanced Parkinson's disease.
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.
Understanding Interstate Hospice Transfers: A Comprehensive Guide
Navigating interstate hospice transfers can be complex. This guide explores the process, challenges, and considerations for patients and families. Learn about Medicare regulations, coordination between hospice agencies, and how to ensure continuity of care when moving across state lines during end-of-life care.
How to Communicate Effectively with Healthcare Professionals as a Family Member of a Patient with a Terminal Illness
Learn how to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals when caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. Improve communication, advocacy, and coping skills to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible.