Tag: Hospice Care
Articles about hospice care including how to manage comfort at end of life.
Understanding Vascular Dementia: A Guide for Families
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, it is natural to have questions and concerns about what lies ahead. This educational article aims to provide you with an overview of what to expect over the course of the disease, the changes you might see in your loved one, and how to best care for them from onset until the end of life.
Dispelling Myths About Hospice Care
Hospice care is often misunderstood and shrouded in myths that can prevent individuals and families from accessing the compassionate support they need during a challenging time. This article will address common misconceptions about hospice care and provide you with the facts. We aim to empower you with accurate information to make informed decisions when considering hospice for yourself or a loved one.
Unmanaged Pain in Dementia Patients
Dementia is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and it can cause a range of symptoms, including pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, pain is often under-detected and undertreated in people with dementia, leading to significant suffering and a reduced quality of life. In this article, we will explore the prevalence of pain among dementia patients, the impact of unmanaged pain on their quality of life, behavioral changes that may indicate pain, and the use of the PAINAD pain scale as a tool for assessing and managing pain in dementia patients.
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.
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.
The Hospice Chaplain
In this article, we will explore the vital role of a hospice chaplain, as explained by Katherine Seiler, an experienced and compassionate hospice chaplain. Hospice chaplains play a significant role in providing emotional, social, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families during their end-of-life journey.
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.
Caring in Crisis: Navigating the Challenges of Hospice Care in 2023
Hospice care is a vital form of healthcare dedicated to providing comfort and support to patients in their final stages of life. While it's a relatively recent concept in the United States, with its inception in 1974, it has gained significant popularity, with over half of Medicare beneficiaries in 2020 receiving hospice services. Nevertheless, as we delve into 2023, hospice care confronts several formidable challenges. These include labor shortages, concerns about the quality of care, and the notable presence of for-profit entities in the industry. In this article, we will navigate through the history of hospice care in the United States, its present state in 2023, and the challenges that affect not only hospice patients but also the dedicated staff and providers.
Reviewing Hospice Eligibility
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the key local coverage determination (LCD) facts for different terminal illnesses to avoid admitting patients who are not eligible for services only to be required to refund the money back to Medicare; otherwise, only have the patient on for one benefit period then discharged for failure to decline. These determinations provide guidelines on the coverage of hospice services for specific conditions. If you are the admitting nurse, please do not just admit because you were told to admit by someone, regardless of the position or standing of the person or party that told you to admit. Use your critical thinking and clinical judgment skills to evaluate the patient for admission. Most doctors will write "evaluate and treat" or something to that effect; never lose sight of the "evaluate" portion of the doctor's order.
Based on the provided PDF files, as noted in the resources section below, let’s explore some essential information for each terminal illness.
Failure to Decline in Hospice – The Good and The Ugly
If your loved one is facing a discharge from hospice due to failure to decline, it's crucial to comprehend the situation clearly. This discharge indicates that the healthcare team believes your loved one's condition has stabilized and no longer requires hospice care. While this might be a positive sign, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making decisions. Let's delve into both the positive and negative aspects of this situation to help you navigate it effectively.
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.
The Hospice Admission Nurse
This article delves into hospice care with Andrew Viozzi, an adept hospice admission registered nurse. Andrew brings valuable insights into the hospice admission process and the broader spectrum of hospice care. Although Andrew's current position revolves around admissions, his extensive experience encompasses case management, preceptorship, mentorship, and the guidance of new hospice nurses. In this article, we dispel misconceptions, highlight the advantages of hospice care, outline the admission procedure, and emphasize the pivotal role of hospice in end-of-life care.
Eye-Opening Lessons on Trusting Nursing Facilities: Advocating for Comfort in End-of-Life Care
As an experienced hospice visiting registered nurse, today offered me profound insights from two interconnected perspectives. The first highlights the blind trust we often place in facility nurses and doctors when caring for our loved ones. The second involves the challenges I encountered while advocating for proper end-of-life care for a patient with Alzheimer's.
The Unsung Heroes of Hospice Care: Celebrating the Vital Role of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
In the realm of hospice care, compassion and comfort take precedence. A team of skilled professionals comes together to offer comprehensive support to patients, their families, and caregivers. Among these essential contributors, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) stand out as unsung heroes, bringing immeasurable value to the field of hospice care. This article delves into the distinctive role CNAs play in hospice, their frequent and meaningful interactions, and their leadership within the hospice team.
The Actively Dying Phase of The Dying Process
For a non-healthcare professional who has never witnessed death before, it can be unsettling to be present with someone who is nearing the end of their life. However, there are certain signs and observations that you can make using your senses that may indicate that the person you are with may pass away within seconds, minutes, or hours. Understanding these signs can help you provide support and comfort to the individual and their loved ones during this grim time.
Breathing Patterns Before End of Life: Critical Clues for the Last Hours!
Understanding the final breath: This article explores the critical breathing patterns observed in the last hours of life, offering insights for caregivers and family members to prepare for the end-of-life journey.
The Transitioning Phase of The Dying Process
Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging and emotional experience. If you find yourself in the presence of someone in the transitioning phase of the dying process, knowing what signs to look for can be helpful. Although every individual's experience may vary, some common observations may indicate someone is in the transitioning phase. Here's a guide to help you recognize these signs and provide support during this grim time.
The Power of Empathy in Hospice Care
It's common in nursing to be told by others that you shouldn't be a nurse, and some may even call you a "fake nurse" if you don't meet their standards of what they think is required to be a nurse. The first time I was told I could not be a nurse was by an elderly woman who believed only women could be nurses.
Is Dying Painful?
Dying doesn’t always hurt. The amount and type of pain there is at the end of life can differ. The specific diagnosis and cause of pain are factors.
Understanding Hospice Care: Is it Too Early to Start Hospice?
Is it Too Early to Start Hospice?
It's crucial to remember that hospice care is about improving the quality of life for the patient and their family, regardless of the time left. Hospice care can be initiated when the patient's condition is declining and they require comfort-focused care rather than life-prolonging treatments. Starting hospice care early can provide ample time for the patient and their family to benefit from the support and services offered.
If you're unsure when to consider hospice care, consult the patient's primary physician or a hospice care provider. They can guide you through the process and help you make an informed decision based on the patient's needs and circumstances.
Understanding the Role of IV Fluids at the End of Life
Explore the delicate balance of IV fluid use at life’s end. This article discusses the hospice approach, potential risks, and prioritizing comfort over invasive measures. A must-read for families facing tough decisions in palliative care.