Category: Tips and Tricks
Articles about tips and tricks for caregivers and nurses caring for the terminally ill.
The Benefits of Deprescribing Medications in Hospice: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Hospice Nurses
I know how important it is to provide comfort and support during this challenging journey. One aspect of hospice care that often raises concerns is deprescribing medications. In this article, we'll explore what deprescribing is and why it can benefit patients nearing the end of life.
Managing Terminal Restlessness
Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging experience, and witnessing changes in their behavior and well-being can be distressing. As a hospice nurse, I've supported many families and caregivers through this grim time. One common symptom that may arise towards the end of life is restlessness. In this article, I will explain the different types of restlessness and offer guidance on how to manage them. Understanding these distinctions can provide valuable insights into your loved one's condition and help you navigate the final stages of their life with compassion and care.
Documenting Observational Signs of Discomfort: A Guide for Hospice Nurses and Families
As a hospice nurse, I understand the importance of documenting observational signs of discomfort in terminally ill patients. This guide covers recognizing physical and behavioral cues indicating discomfort, even if patients don't express it. It also highlights the benefits of journaling for families and nurses, with tips for effective documentation to enhance patient comfort and care.
Restoring Taste After Radiation Therapy to the Face and Neck
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for head and neck cancers, but it can lead to the loss of taste, also known as dysgeusia, in some patients. This can be a distressing side effect, but there are steps that patients and caregivers can take to help restore the patient's sense of taste as quickly as possible, with minimal risk. While there is no guaranteed way to restore taste, these tips and strategies may help patients regain some of their enjoyment of food and drink.
Minimizing Dementia Progression in Loved Ones: Beyond Medications
Dementia is a progressive disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. While there is no cure for dementia, there are ways to minimize its progression and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease. Here are some activities to do, activities to avoid, dietary changes to make, and activities to perform to minimize the progression of dementia.
Statins Increase the Risk of Dementia or Worsening Dementia
Pharmaceutical advertisements often highlight the benefits of a particular drug, including its ability to reduce the risk of various health conditions. However, the actual risk reduction these drugs provide may differ from what is portrayed in the advertisements. It is the opinion of the author that if cardiologists and other providers told their patients the absolute risk reduction of statins is 0.8% for all-cause mortality, 1.3% for myocardial infarction and 0.4% for stroke and the side effects of going on a statin include dementia, worsening dementia, confusion, muscle problems, such as aches, pains, weakness, muscle breakdown, falls, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, would you or anyone else ever agree to take a statin?
How to Use the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) to Determine Discomfort in Your Loved One with Dementia
If you have a loved one with dementia, it can be difficult to know if they are in pain or discomfort. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) is a tool that can help you determine if your loved one is uncomfortable. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) is different from other pain assessment tools for people with dementia in several ways:
Avoiding Problematic Language in Hospice Nursing Narratives
Proper documentation is crucial for hospice nurses to ensure Medicare compliance and maintain the patient's eligibility for services. Auditors, who may not have a healthcare background, review these documents to determine if the patient's condition is terminal. To avoid having the patient removed from service due to improper documentation, hospice nurses should be mindful of the words and phrases they use in their nursing narratives and progress notes. This article will guide what to avoid and why it is essential to paint a picture of a terminally ill patient.
Understanding Heart Failure Stages and Assessment
Heart failure is a complex medical condition that can impact the quality of life of patients, especially those in hospice care. As a hospice nurse, assessing the heart failure stage is crucial to providing appropriate care accurately. This article will explore the New York Heart Failure Classification System, its stages, and how to assess patients for their stages. Additionally, we will emphasize the importance of documentation in compliance with Medicare guidelines for terminally ill patients with heart failure.
Understanding Functional Decline in the Natural Dying Process
Explore the journey of functional decline in the natural dying process. This article provides insight for caregivers and families, emphasizing the importance of documenting changes to enhance care and decision-making in life’s final chapter.
Importance of Medication Reconciliation in Hospice Care
Medication reconciliation plays a pivotal role in hospice care, ensuring terminally ill patients receive safe medication regimens. This process involves maintaining an accurate medication list to prevent adverse drug events. It's essential at various stages, including admission, recertification, and changes in condition. Healthcare professionals should be familiar with tools like the Beers Criteria and STOPP/START criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications and prescribing omissions in older adults.
Understanding the Decline of Terminally Ill Loved Ones: Medications vs. Disease Processes
When a loved one is terminally ill, it can be a perplexing and emotional journey. Understanding the root cause of their declining health becomes paramount. It's a complex puzzle where family members often grapple with questions: Are the symptoms a result of medications prescribed, or are they intrinsic to the terminal disease? This article delves into the critical distinctions between medication side effects and the natural progression of terminal illnesses, offering insights to empower families and caregivers in making informed decisions about their loved one's care.
Understanding Serotonin Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide
Hospice nurses assess the status of the patient's journey towards the end of life every nursing visit. Situations where a reversible condition can drastically impact the patient and the hospice assessment can occur. If it is not caught, it is potentially mistreated, leading to increased discomfort and a faster death, often involving increased suffering. One of the common clues that someone is getting closer to dying is increased agitation and restlessness.
Are you aware of Serotonin Syndrome?
Trigger Words for Hospice Nurses: Assessing End-of-Life in Two Weeks or Less
Discover key indicators for end-of-life care in hospice. This guide highlights ‘trigger words’ that signal a patient’s final days, aiding nurses and caregivers in providing compassionate support during the most critical moments.
Understanding and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout when Caring for a Loved One with Dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. Family caregivers often neglect their own well-being while focusing on the needs of their loved ones, leading to burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can happen when caregivers don't get the help they need or try to do more than they are able to do. In this article, we will discuss how family caregivers of a loved one with dementia can avoid burnout and recover if they are already experiencing burnout.
Caring for a Loved One with a History of Diverticulitis
Caring for a loved one with a history of diverticulitis requires a combination of preventive measures, early detection of warning signs, and understanding the common signs and symptoms of this condition. Your role as a caregiver is crucial in providing support and assistance to ensure their well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore essential aspects of caring for someone with diverticulitis, including prevention, early warning signs, and treatment options.
Unlocking the Power of Validation Therapy in Compassionate End-of-Life Care
In the realm of hospice care, where empathy and compassion are paramount, a remarkable approach called Validation Therapy has emerged as a beacon of hope and comfort for individuals facing dementia and cognitive disorders in their final journey. As an experienced hospice registered nurse case manager, I've witnessed the transformative impact of Validation Therapy on patients, allowing them to find solace, regain their self-worth, and experience a sense of dignity during their end-of-life phase.
Understanding and Addressing a Terminally Ill Patient’s Fear of Impending Doom
I understand how challenging it can be for terminally ill patients to cope with their fear of impending death. It is crucial for both healthcare providers and family members to take these feelings seriously and respond with compassion and understanding. In this article, we will explore the importance of acknowledging a patient's fear of impending doom and discuss actions that families can take to provide peace and comfort during this grim time.
Promoting Meaningful Relationships with Dementia Patients through Validation Therapy
Caring for individuals with dementia can be both challenging and rewarding. One approach that has gained recognition for promoting meaningful relationships with dementia patients is Validation Therapy, developed by Naomi Feil. This article will explore how Validation Therapy works, why it does not involve telling a single lie, and why honesty is crucial when dealing with dementia patients.
Recognizing Signs of Dementia in Your Loved One
Dementia is a condition that affects cognitive abilities such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning. It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of dementia early to provide proper support. This article will help you understand the common signs and symptoms of dementia and steps you can take to address them.
Frontal Lobe Dementia: Understanding and Caring for Your Loved One
Facing a loved one's diagnosis of frontal lobe dementia can be overwhelming and challenging. This article aims to provide families with essential information about frontal lobe dementia, its progression, changes they might observe in their loved one, and best practices for caregiving from onset until the end of life.
Understanding Discomfort: Distinguishing it from Pain While Caring for Your Terminally Ill Loved One
Caring for a terminally ill loved one is a profound and challenging journey that requires compassion, understanding, and a willingness to alleviate any discomfort they may experience. In this guide, we will explore the concept of discomfort, its distinction from pain, and the importance of recognizing and addressing discomfort in addition to pain. You'll be better equipped to provide holistic care that enhances your loved one's quality of life during this sensitive time.
Throughout your loved one's illness, you might find yourself thinking that they don't require "pain medication" because they don't seem to be in pain. They might even respond with a direct "no" when asked about their pain. However, are you aware that most types of pain medication can alleviate discomfort? Did you also know that your loved one could be feeling uncomfortable without necessarily being in severe pain? Nonetheless, it's important to recognize that their discomfort requires the same treatment as if they were in pain.
Advocating for Your Terminally Ill Loved One in a Facility
As a family member of a terminally ill loved one receiving care in a facility, you play a vital role in ensuring they receive the best possible care and support during their journey towards a good death. Advocating for your loved one involves understanding their needs, communicating effectively with the facility staff, and staying informed about their care plan. This article aims to guide you on being an effective advocate, asking the right questions, and ensuring your loved one's comfort and well-being.
Preventing Friction and Shear Injuries in Elderly Care: A Guide for Non-Health Professionals
Taking care of an elderly fragile person at home can be both rewarding and challenging. One crucial aspect of caregiving is preventing friction and shear injuries, which can be painful and detrimental to the person's well-being. In this article, we'll explore what friction and shear injuries are, how they can be avoided, and some practical tips to ensure your loved one's safety and comfort.