Tag: Comfort Care
Articles about comfort care for the terminally ill patient seeing a good death.
Bringing Joy and Engagement: How Geri-Gadgets® Transform Care for People with Dementia and Beyond
Geri-Gadgets® are safe, sensory-rich fidget tools designed to help people with dementia, neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who benefits from fidgeting. These colorful, non-toxic products improve mood, reduce anxiety, encourage engagement, and support physical and cognitive health. Learn how these innovative tools can transform care.
When Hospice Isn’t Enough: How End-of-Life Doulas Fill Critical Care Gaps in For-Profit Agencies
Research shows private equity-owned hospice agencies spend less on direct patient care, leading to higher hospitalization rates and poorer quality. End-of-life doulas bridge these gaps by providing emotional, social, and spiritual support, vigil planning, and legacy projects that most hospice agencies don't offer.
What Matters Most: The Three Things People Want Before They Die
A palliative care doctor shares people's three most common wishes at the end of life: mending relationships, expressing gratitude, and saying "I love you." Planning for a good death with the help of a life transition coach can help you accomplish more meaningful goals and ensure your final days reflect your values.
Aromatherapy for Life’s Challenges: Supporting Anxiety, Grief, Loss, and End-of-Life Care
Explore how aromatherapy and essential oils relieve anxiety, grief, loss, and critical symptoms like pain and nausea across all stages of life. Practical, safe use tips are provided for caregivers, doulas, and health professionals to support holistic well-being.
Healing Beyond Cure: Transforming Cancer Pain Management through Integrated Palliative Care
A groundbreaking clinical trial demonstrates that single-fraction radiotherapy alongside supportive care can dramatically improve pain management for liver cancer patients, with 67% reporting reduced pain intensity and potential implications for future palliative treatment strategies.
Understanding Terminal Agitation and Restlessness: A Comprehensive Guide for Caregivers and Families
Navigating the complexities of end-of-life care can be challenging. This article delves into the nuances of terminal agitation and terminal restlessness, providing caregivers and family members with the essential knowledge to better understand and support their loved ones during the final stages of life.
Hospice Care: Embracing Life’s Journey Through Comprehensive Support
Hospice care extends beyond end-of-life support, offering comprehensive services for patients with terminal illnesses. Early enrollment can provide months of valuable support, improving patient and family quality of life through specialized care and resources.
A New Path Forward: Using the Frailty Trajectory Model to Navigate Healthcare Decisions
The Frailty Trajectory Model offers a new way to understand how health changes over time, especially for older adults. This approach helps healthcare practitioners and life transition coaches guide patients through illness with compassion and clarity, making it easier to plan care that matches personal values and goals.
Guide to Becoming a Death Doula: Training Paths and Hidden Pitfalls
Becoming a death doula requires proper training, not just good intentions. While many suggest starting as a hospice volunteer, this path is fraught with problems - from limited training to ethical conflicts. Learn the right way to enter this meaningful field through legitimate certification programs and educational resources.
When Treatment Conflicts with Values: Why Planning Your Care Goals Before Illness Is Critical
New research reveals that 37% of advanced cancer patients feel their treatment doesn't match their personal care goals—nearly twice the rate of other serious illnesses. This disconnect highlights our healthcare system's focus on fixing problems after they occur, without considering comfort or quality of life. Discover why planning your values and care preferences before illness strikes can prevent this misalignment and ensure you receive care that truly honors what matters most to you.
Breathing Support Decisions at End-of-Life: When Comfort Matters More Than Time
Facing difficult decisions about breathing support at the end of life? Understand the differences between BIPAP, intubation, and ventilators. Learn how complete advance directives guide families toward comfort-focused care and how end-of-life doulas provide affordable, compassionate support during these challenging choices.
Revolutionizing Comfort: The Role of Macy Catheters in Hospice and Palliative Care
Discover the transformative role of Macy catheters in hospice and palliative care. This comprehensive guide explores how these innovative devices enhance patient comfort, simplify medication administration, and support caregivers. Learn about their benefits, proper use, and impact on the quality of life for those receiving end-of-life care.
Healing Touch: How MNRI Transforms End-of-Life Support for Grief and Trauma
End-of-life doulas play a crucial role in supporting families through grief and trauma. Learn how Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) offers powerful, gentle techniques to help clients process difficult emotions and find healing during life transitions.
How SupportNow.org Transforms Support for Families Facing End-of-Life Challenges
Learn how SupportNow.org can transform the way end-of-life doulas, caregivers, and families coordinate practical support during life's most challenging moments. This free platform brings together financial help, meal coordination, volunteer assistance, and family updates in one simple place.
Bridging the Care Gap: How End-of-Life Doulas Support Hospices in the Age of Telehealth
Hospice agencies worldwide face critical staffing shortages, leading to increased reliance on telehealth services. While virtual care helps bridge gaps, the absence of on-site presence creates challenges in patient care. End-of-life doulas offer a compassionate solution, providing essential non-medical support that complements telehealth hospice services and ensures comprehensive care for patients and families.
How Hospice Extends Life and Enhances Quality for the Terminally Ill
Hospice care not only provides comfort but can also extend the lives of terminally ill patients. Learn how holistic support and compassionate care improve longevity and quality of life.
The Hidden Reality of Dialysis: Understanding Life Support, Quality of Life, and Planning Ahead
Dialysis is a choice, not a requirement for end-stage kidney disease. While this life support treatment can extend life, it significantly impacts quality of life through fatigue, time constraints, and physical challenges. You have the right to choose comfort care and hospice instead. Learn why discussing dialysis preferences should be part of every living will and how end-of-life doulas can help navigate these important decisions.
When Time Becomes Finite: Navigating the Emotional Aftermath of a Terminal Diagnosis
A terminal diagnosis sends shockwaves through the lives of patients and their loved ones. This article delves into the trauma experienced by all involved, examining the intricate challenges faced by hospice and palliative care providers in offering compassionate support while navigating the complex emotional landscape of end-of-life care.
When Death Comes Unexpectedly: Why Being Prepared Matters More Than Ever
Every year, thousands die in emergency departments unprepared for death. Sudden death in hospitals can be especially shocking for patients and families who haven't planned ahead. This guide highlights why preparation is important and describes how end-of-life doulas can assist.
How a Well-Planned Vigil Transforms the Final Journey for Everyone Involved
Learn why planning a death vigil early with an end-of-life doula creates meaningful final moments, reduces family stress, and helps prevent complicated grief. Discover the profound benefits of this sacred practice for everyone involved.
Staying Connected Through Health Journeys: A CaringBridge Guide for Families and End-of-Life Doulas
Discover how CaringBridge helps families and end-of-life doulas stay connected during health journeys. This free platform offers privacy controls, easy updates, and community support for chronic illness, terminal illness, and life transitions.
When Family Goes Silent: Finding Help When Loved Ones Won’t Step Up
Primary caregivers often face difficult emotions of isolation when loved ones step back during a chronic or terminal illness. This article thoughtfully addresses these feelings, delves into the reasons for this distance, and provides constructive communication strategies to foster reconnection with hesitant family members. It also highlights alternative support avenues for caregivers, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
When Goodbye Isn’t Clear: Understanding and Healing from Ambiguous Loss
Ambiguous loss is a type of grief that happens when loss feels unclear or unfinished. Unlike traditional grief, this emotional pain lacks closure, making it harder to process. Learn to recognize the signs of ambiguous loss and discover practical healing strategies to help you move forward with hope.
When Hearts Collide: A Gentle Guide to Resolving Any Conflict
Conflict happens in every relationship and setting. This practical guide teaches a proven 7-step approach developed by conflict resolution experts to recognize, prevent, and resolve disagreements compassionately. Learn essential de-escalation tools for better communication and stronger relationships.