Understanding vision changes in dementia is vital for caregivers. Learn how dementia affects vision and find practical tips to support your loved one, ensuring their comfort and safety.
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.
In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Nurse Peter Abraham. Peter shares his extensive experience in cardiac telemetry, skilled nursing, and rural home hospice care. They discuss the significance of early hospice enrollment, the challenges of caring for dementia and Parkinson's patients, and the impactful personal stories from Peter's career. Special focus is given to the educational resources on Peter's website, Compassion Crossing, which aims to support families, caregivers, and new hospice nurses. Peter emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in hospice care and reflects on how his faith informs his practice.
As mergers and acquisitions reshape the hospice industry, questions arise about their impact on care quality. This article examines the pros and cons of consolidation, including the expansion of for-profit providers and the challenges of maintaining local identities under corporate ownership. Discover how these changes affect patients, families, and communities in the evolving landscape of end-of-life care.
Understanding Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD) is crucial for providing the best care. This guide helps families know what to expect and how to support their loved ones through these challenging conditions.
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.
Navigate the challenges of Korsakoff Dementia with our comprehensive guide. Learn to recognize symptoms, understand stages, and provide compassionate care for your loved one.
Discover how oral ketamine is emerging as a game-changer in palliative care, offering rapid relief for severe depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. This comprehensive guide explores its potential benefits, administration methods, and important considerations for patients and healthcare providers.
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.
A compassionate guide for families navigating esophageal cancer. Understand its types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and ways to provide care and support.
Learn the difference between a terminal prognosis and a diagnosis, and get practical tips and resources to help you and your loved one navigate this challenging time.
Sleep patterns can help estimate how close a terminally ill person is to dying. Learn how changes in sleep can indicate approaching death and how to support your loved one during this time.
Discover how "poop muffins" and "power pudding" can help maintain regular bowel movements. These fiber-rich recipes are especially beneficial for those experiencing constipation, including the elderly and individuals on certain medications. Learn how to make these tasty, digestive-friendly treats at home.
Understanding bowel movements in terminally ill patients is crucial for their comfort and dignity. This guide offers practical tips for caregivers and hospice nurses to manage constipation, diarrhea, and other bowel issues, ensuring patients' better quality of life.
Understanding when and how to revoke services is crucial in hospice care. This article aims to shed light on revoking hospice services, why it may be necessary, misconceptions surrounding it, and the potential impact when patients or their families decide to restart hospice care.
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.
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.
End-of-life wound care is crucial for patient comfort and dignity. This guide covers practical tips for preventing infection, managing symptoms, and supporting caregivers during this sensitive time. Learn how to make wound care a compassionate part of hospice and palliative care.
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.
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.
This guide covers the essentials of palliative sedation for hospice patients, including ethical dilemmas, timing, recommended medications, and monitoring effectiveness, ensuring comfort during the end-of-life journey.
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.
Learn how to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals when caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. Improve communication, advocacy, and coping skills to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible.
Hospice care is a unique medical approach that prioritizes comfort and peace for the terminally ill rather than vital signs or curative treatments. It offers holistic support, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This compassionate care improves the quality of life, dignity, and a peaceful end aligned with the patient's values.