Category: Tips For Nurses
Articles for nurses caring for terminally ill patients including how to manage challenging situations.
Estimating Dementia Stages Without a Diagnosis
This article is like a flashlight in the dark. It’s here to shine a light on the path ahead, even when we don’t have all the answers. We’ll talk about how dementia can affect people differently and share some common signs that can help you guess what stage your loved one might be in.
Read MoreEstimating Dementia Stages Without a DiagnosisCommon Medications That May Cause Harm to Hospice Patients
Medications like anticoagulants, antidepressants, and NSAIDs can cause harm to hospice patients. Learn how to balance comfort and safety with individualized care.
Read MoreCommon Medications That May Cause Harm to Hospice PatientsWhy Anticoagulants Should Be Reviewed Regularly for Deprescribing for Those Who Are Terminally Ill
Anticoagulants can prevent blood clots but also cause bleeding risks for terminally ill patients. This article explains why these medications should be regularly reviewed for deprescribing, outlining factors like prognosis, preferences, and palliative care options to consider when making informed, compassionate choices aligned with the patient's goals.
Read MoreWhy Anticoagulants Should Be Reviewed Regularly for Deprescribing for Those Who Are Terminally IllUnderstanding the Importance of Quarterly Medication Reconciliation for Terminal Patients
This article discusses the importance of quarterly medication reconciliation for terminal patients and their families. It explains the benefits, such as improving patient safety, quality of life, symptom management, and the challenges and solutions. It also addresses the need to re-evaluate certain medications, like donepezil and memantine, for patients with dementia as their disease progresses.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Importance of Quarterly Medication Reconciliation for Terminal PatientsPressure Injury Prevention for the Terminally Ill: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
This guide provides practical strategies for preventing and managing pressure injuries in terminally ill patients. Learn how to assess risk, optimize nutrition, reposition properly, choose support surfaces, and care for the skin. Get recommendations for home, hospice, and hospital settings, as well as pain management and infection control. Empower yourself with evidence-based tips to improve your loved one's comfort and quality of life.
Read MorePressure Injury Prevention for the Terminally Ill: A Guide for Families and CaregiversHospice Best Practices for the Management Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, especially those who have undergone cancer treatment or have other lymphatic disorders. It occurs when the lymphatic system, which drains excess fluid and waste from the tissues, is damaged or blocked. The most common symptom of lymphedema is swelling of the affected limb, which can range from mild to severe. Lymphedema can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients with serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. In this article, we will discuss hospice best practices for the management of lymphedema, with a focus on the needs and preferences of terminally ill patients, family members, and caregivers.
Read MoreHospice Best Practices for the Management LymphedemaFinding the Best Products for Loved Ones with Dementia
Dementia affects memory, thinking, and behavior, presenting challenges for patients and caregivers. This article discusses the best products for managing these challenges, enhancing quality of life for those with dementia.
Read MoreFinding the Best Products for Loved Ones with DementiaAdrenal Insufficiency Crisis Management for Terminally Ill Patients
Discover essential strategies for managing adrenal insufficiency crises in terminally ill patients. Learn about symptoms, risk factors, and crucial interventions to ensure patient comfort and safety. This guide provides valuable insights for hospice nurses and caregivers in this critical condition.
Read MoreAdrenal Insufficiency Crisis Management for Terminally Ill PatientsUnderstanding KPS and PPS: Vital Assessment Tools in Palliative and Hospice Care
Explore the crucial roles of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and Palliative Performance Score (PPS) in palliative and hospice care. This comprehensive guide helps nurses and caregivers understand these assessment tools, their applications, and critical differences, empowering them to provide more effective, patient-centered care.
Read MoreUnderstanding KPS and PPS: Vital Assessment Tools in Palliative and Hospice CareCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses
Compliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses" offers comprehensive guidance for hospice professionals. This valuable resource provides practical examples for various aspects of hospice care documentation, including admissions, recertifications, IDG/IDT notes, continuous care, and GIP records. Enhance your documentation skills while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Read MoreCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice NursesLate-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.
Read MoreLate-Onset Medication Side Effects: The Importance of Continuous Vigilance and Medication ReconciliationUncommon Opioid Side Effects to Know: How They Affect You and Your Family
Learn about uncommon opioid side effects like myoclonus and hyperalgesia, and how they impact you and your family. This guide explains these conditions, offers tips for managing them, and highlights the role of hospice in providing comfort and support.
Read MoreUncommon Opioid Side Effects to Know: How They Affect You and Your FamilyWhen 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.
Read MoreWhen Death is Imminent – What to Expect from HospiceRUSH 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.
Read MoreRUSH Medical Center’s Caring for Caregivers: Supporting Those Who Support OthersEmpowering 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.
Read MoreEmpowering Caregivers: Effective Communication with Healthcare ProvidersComprehensive 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.
Read MoreComprehensive Approaches to Managing Hallucinations in Dementia PatientsHow 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.
Read MoreHow to Identify End-Stage Parkinson’s for Hospice AdmissionCrisis 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.
Read MoreCrisis Management at End-of-LifeUnderstanding 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.
Read MoreUnderstanding Interstate Hospice Transfers: A Comprehensive GuideBowel Management for the Terminally Ill: A Guide for Caregivers and Hospice Nurses
Managing bowel problems in terminally ill patients is crucial for their comfort and dignity. This guide offers practical tips for caregivers and hospice nurses to address constipation, diarrhea, bowel obstruction, and ascites, ensuring patients' better quality of life.
Read MoreBowel Management for the Terminally Ill: A Guide for Caregivers and Hospice NursesCompelling Hospice Nursing Narratives: Ensuring Continued Eligibility and Comprehensive Care
This guide covers how to write effective hospice nursing narratives, key documentation areas, and the importance of detailed and negative-based wording to support continued hospice eligibility.
Read MoreCompelling Hospice Nursing Narratives: Ensuring Continued Eligibility and Comprehensive CareUnderstanding 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.
Read MoreUnderstanding Self-Soothing Sounds During the End-of-LifeNavigating the Complex World of Dementia and Seizures
This article delves into the intricate relationship between dementia and seizures, offering insights on identification, safety protocols, and advocacy for caregivers.
Read MoreNavigating the Complex World of Dementia and SeizuresAdmission Nurse: Essential Questions to Ask During the Hospice Admission Visit
As a hospice admission nurse, asking the right questions is crucial for assessing patients' eligibility and providing compassionate care. This article explores critical questions to understand the patient's condition, decline timeline, hospitalizations, functional abilities, cognitive status, and comorbidities. By gathering this information, nurses can support informed decisions, tailor interventions, and ensure a "good death" for patients and families.
Read MoreAdmission Nurse: Essential Questions to Ask During the Hospice Admission Visit