Tag: Comfort Care
Articles about comfort care for the terminally ill patient seeing a good death.
What is Hospice?
Understanding Hospice Care: A Guide for Families
If you or your loved one is facing a serious illness and needs extra care and support, hospice care may be the right choice. Hospice is a special kind of care that helps people who are nearing the end of their lives feel as comfortable and peaceful as possible.
Hospice and the Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment — POLST
A review of the implications of each choice for the terminally ill patient as well as the loved ones of those who are terminally ill. This form comes into practice typically under two conditions… no pulse and is not breathing OR has a pulse and/or is breathing (but while not mentioned is typically in the last two weeks of life if no measures are taken with the understanding that any and all measures do not guarantee a longer time frame). Let’s review the form below:
Is my loved one starving or being dehydrated to death?
When a loved one nears the end of life, it’s natural to worry about their nutrition and hydration. This article explains why they may not need food or water and how you can provide comfort during this time.
Buccal vs Sublingual for Liquid Medications
Your dying patient has lost their gag reflex as part of the dying process. One of the questions I implore you to ask yourself is what’s the safest route to administer liquid medications? Well, before even going to answer this question, unless contraindicated, make sure the patient’s head of the bed is at least at a 30 to 45-degree angle (I prefer the latter).
The buccal route is the safest route to administer liquid medications at the end of life in my experience. In practice, I strongly encourage you as well as the families we mutually teach to give any liquid medications on the side of the mouth least likely to have spillage — this depends on the position of the patient — and slowly over time giving the medication in 0.25 ml increments allowing for the absorption of the medication switching cheeks as applicable.
DNR and the Terminally Ill
Navigating conversations about Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders with terminally ill patients and their families can be challenging yet crucial for ensuring that the patient's wishes and comfort are prioritized. The decision between opting for DNR or full code often involves delicate emotions, medical considerations, and ethical concerns. In this article, we will delve into a methodology that has proven effective in facilitating these discussions, particularly in the context of hospice care. Drawing from years of experience and successful outcomes, we'll explore approaches that prioritize compassion, clarity, and patient-centered care. Additionally, we'll reference valuable resources to enhance understanding and guide these critical conversations.