Tag: Comfort Care
Articles about comfort care for the terminally ill patient seeing a good death.
Understanding 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.
Understanding the Common Journey Towards End-of-Life
Caring for a terminally ill loved one can be challenging and emotional. As an experienced hospice nurse case manager, you understand the importance of providing compassionate care and support to loved ones and their families. In this educational article, we will explore the common journey that terminally ill loved ones and their caregivers face as they approach the end of life. We will summarize this journey's various aspects, offering guidance and separating fact from fiction.
Celebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale in Hospice Nursing
In the realm of nursing, the spirit of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, continues to illuminate the path for nurses across various specialties. Her legacy, rooted in compassion, patient-centered care, and unwavering dedication, resonates deeply with nurses from all walks of life. However, we discover a profound connection to Florence Nightingale's nursing model within hospice nursing. This article will explore the distinctive qualities that set hospice nurses apart, including their remarkable autonomy, acute assessment skills, problem-solving abilities, and holistic approach to patient care.
Managing Aspiration Risks in Hospice Care: A Guide for Families
This article is crafted with heartfelt understanding and care, recognizing the challenges you face as caregivers and family members of terminally ill loved ones. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and practical advice to manage the risk of aspiration pneumonia, a common yet often preventable complication in hospice care.
Methadone: A Compassionate Approach to Managing Terminal Pain
This article delves into the advantages of Methadone over Morphine for pain management in hospice settings. It covers dosage, titration, side effects, and scenarios where Methadone may not be the best choice. Ideal for hospice professionals and caregivers seeking compassionate pain relief options for the terminally ill.
Music Therapy: A Melody of Hope for the Terminally Ill
If you or someone you love is facing a terminal illness, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with it. You may wonder how to cope with the pain, the fear, the grief, and the loss of control. You may also want to find ways to make the most of the time you have left and to leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones.
Music therapy is a form of therapy that can help you and your family deal with these issues. It involves using music and musical activities to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages and backgrounds. Music therapy can help you express your feelings, communicate with others, relax your body and mind, cope with pain and stress, enhance your spiritual connection, and create a meaningful life story.
Hospice Care: A Purist vs. Non-Purist Approach
Dive into the contrasting philosophies of purist and non-purist hospice nurses and doctors. Understand how their views on medication and patient care differ, shaping the terminal phase of a patient’s journey. This article highlights the delicate balance between medical intervention and quality of life in hospice care.
Demonstrating Compassion
Discover practical ways to show compassion in hospice care. Learn how small gestures like active listening, gentle touch, and respecting personal space can make a significant difference. Explore the importance of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and self-care for caregivers in providing compassionate end-of-life support.
The Final Journey: Understanding Why the Actively Dying May Linger
Explore the profound journey of the actively dying. This article unravels the reasons behind their lingering, examining medical interventions and the emotional need for closure. Gain insight into this delicate phase of life."
Understanding End-Stage PSP: A Guide for Families
Navigating the complexities of end-stage Progressive Supranuclear Palsy can be challenging. Our comprehensive guide provides essential information, practical tips, and empathetic support to help families and caregivers through this difficult time.
Hospice Access for Undocumented Immigrants
Welcome to our guide on hospice care for undocumented immigrants. This article is crafted with the utmost empathy to support family members and caregivers as they navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of hospice services and the unique challenges faced by undocumented immigrants during these tender moments.
Understanding Hospice Eval and Treat Orders
In the world of healthcare, when a provider writes an order to "Eval and Treat" for hospice, they are asking for a thorough evaluation and a tailored treatment plan. This is specifically meant for patients who are being considered for hospice care. Let's delve into what this means and why it's crucial.
What Does "Eval and Treat" for Hospice Mean?
Advocating for your loved one on Hospice Services
When someone you love is extremely sick and needs hospice care, you may feel scared, sad, or angry. You may not know what to do or how to help them. You are not alone. Many people go through this challenging time.
As a hospice nurse, I have met many families who have loved ones in hospice. Some of them are continually active and involved in their care. They ask questions, make decisions, and speak up for their needs. Others are more passive and trusting. They let the doctors, nurses, and staff do whatever they think is best. They don’t say much or ask for anything.
Who do you think gets better care for their loved ones? The active ones or the passive ones?
Nourishing with Care: Feeding a Terminally Ill Loved One
Discover compassionate approaches to nourishing terminally ill loved ones. Learn about appetite changes, feeding techniques, and the importance of emotional support during meals. This guide offers practical tips for caregivers to ensure comfort and dignity while addressing nutritional needs in end-of-life care.
Best Practices for Oral Care in Hospice Patients: A Guide for Families
Caring for a comatose loved one during their hospice journey requires special attention, particularly when it comes to oral care. In this guide, we'll explore best practices for oral care, considering the unique needs of comatose patients, and provide you with valuable resources for further guidance.
Managing Dysphagia for Comfort: A Guide for Families
Caring for a loved one with dysphagia during their end-of-life journey can be challenging, but with the proper knowledge and support, you can provide them with comfort and dignity. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom in terminally ill patients and can lead to complications if not managed properly. In this guide, we will provide you with essential information on managing dietary changes and what to expect and offer helpful tips and tricks to ensure your loved one's comfort.
Supporting a Loved One’s Decision to Stop Eating and Drinking Voluntarily
Explore how to support a loved one's decision to stop eating voluntarily and drinking (VSED) in hospice care. Learn about the ethical, emotional, and practical aspects of VSED, including its impact on patients and families, and how to provide compassionate care during this challenging end-of-life journey.
Best Practices for Managing Hallucinations
Learn effective strategies for managing hallucinations in terminally ill patients. This guide covers pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to improve comfort and quality of life.
Understanding Terminal Illness Progression: Observable Signs and Symptoms
Explore the journey through terminal illness, understanding key signs and symptoms at each stage. This guide offers insight into the physical and emotional changes as life nears its end, helping caregivers provide compassionate support.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Life-Threatening Condition for Hospice Patients
The purpose of this article is to provide you with some information and guidance about AAAs and how they can be managed in hospice patients.
Understanding the Importance of the PAINAD Scale in Pain Assessment for Terminally Ill Patients
The PAINAD scale is a comprehensive tool that assesses and manages pain in older adults with dementia and delirium. It focuses on observable signs of pain rather than patient self-report, making it particularly useful for individuals who cannot communicate their discomfort
Top 30 FAQs About Hospice: Everything You Need to Know
Discover hospice care, eligibility, benefits, provider choice, costs, services, and more. Learn how hospice addresses physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs and how to prepare for and manage them. Find out about the roles of the hospice team and the primary caregiver and the signs of approaching death. Empower yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about compassionate end-of-life care.
Four Case Studies About External Oxygen on Hospice
It is common for family members and caregivers who are not trained in end-of-life topics to be concerned about their loved one's oxygen concentration (SpO2 and sometimes also abbreviated SPaO2) reading from a pulse oximeter. Suppose their loved one refuses external oxygen or takes off the external oxygen. In that case, this often causes distress to the family and caregivers because they are focused on the numbers vs. the patients themselves. Hospice is about patient-centered care, and I would like to present four case studies to demonstrate how hospice manages this situation with compassion.
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.