Tag: Hospice Nurse
Articles about and for hospice nurses including tips and tricks to provide the best care the terminally ill patient deserves.
Decoding Acuity: A Guide for Hospice Nurses and Families
Discover how acuity impacts hospice care. From assessment tools to real-world examples, this guide helps nurses and families navigate acuity levels.
Read MoreDecoding Acuity: A Guide for Hospice Nurses and FamiliesBalancing Patient Care and Compliance: The Impact of Extended Hospice Care for Dementia Patients
Explore how extended hospice care for dementia patients benefits families and saves Medicare money despite regulatory challenges around six-month prognosis rules.
Read MoreBalancing Patient Care and Compliance: The Impact of Extended Hospice Care for Dementia PatientsPresence Visits in Hospice
Hospice nurses' presence visits provide vital emotional support and companionship for terminally ill patients and their families. Learn how these visits offer comfort, dignity, and peace during end-of-life care.
Read MorePresence Visits in HospiceDo You Need Hospital Experience to Be a Hospice Nurse?
In this article, we will explore whether medical-surgical or critical care experience is necessary to become a hospice nurse, the benefits and challenges of working in hospice care, the educational and licensure requirements for hospice nurses, and the resources and opportunities for professional development and networking in hospice nursing.
Read MoreDo You Need Hospital Experience to Be a Hospice Nurse?The Sunset Assessment Scale for Determining Hospice Skilled Nursing Visit Frequencies
Discover how the Sunset Assessment Scale guides hospice nurses in determining visit frequencies, ensuring compassionate, patient-centered care during the final journey.
Read MoreThe Sunset Assessment Scale for Determining Hospice Skilled Nursing Visit FrequenciesUnderstanding Emergency Admissions in Hospice
Emergency admissions in hospice provide rapid care for patients nearing the end of life. This process involves quick referrals, expedited assessments, and immediate provision of necessary equipment and medications. Hospice teams work efficiently to ensure patients receive comfort and support during this critical time.
Read MoreUnderstanding Emergency Admissions in HospiceDemystifying Death: Why Hiding the Dying Process from Children Harms Society’s Future
Shielding children from death deprives them of understanding this natural part of life, leading to emotional and psychological consequences. This article explores why exposing children to the dying process is essential for their development and highlights the role of hospice care in supporting families during this time.
Read MoreDemystifying Death: Why Hiding the Dying Process from Children Harms Society’s FutureCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses
Compliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice Nurses" offers comprehensive guidance for hospice professionals. This valuable resource provides practical examples for various aspects of hospice care documentation, including admissions, recertifications, IDG/IDT notes, continuous care, and GIP records. Enhance your documentation skills while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Read MoreCompliance-based, Eligibility Driven Hospice Documentation: Tips for Hospice NursesUnderstanding Hospice Care: Insights from Nurse Peter Abraham
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.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Care: Insights from Nurse Peter AbrahamWhen Death is Imminent – What to Expect from Hospice
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.
Read MoreWhen Death is Imminent – What to Expect from HospiceKennedy Ulcers: Understanding, Identification, Care, and Significance in the End-of-Life
Kennedy ulcers are skin lesions that can develop in individuals nearing the end of life. This guide explores their appearance, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It offers insights into identifying Kennedy ulcers and providing comfort through pain relief, hygiene, and repositioning. Additionally, it addresses the emotional impact and coping strategies for caregivers and loved ones.
Read MoreKennedy Ulcers: Understanding, Identification, Care, and Significance in the End-of-LifeHospice Nursing ADPIE
As a hospice nurse, you are vital in providing compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families. To ensure the best possible outcomes, you rely on a systematic approach known as ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This process guides you in delivering holistic and individualized care, addressing not only the physical needs of patients but also their emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial well-being.
Read MoreHospice Nursing ADPIERevisiting Time Management for a Hospice Visiting Nurse
Discover essential time management strategies for hospice visiting nurses. Learn how to balance patient care, documentation, and self-care while navigating the unique challenges of rural hospice work. Improve your efficiency and effectiveness in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Read MoreRevisiting Time Management for a Hospice Visiting NurseCelebrating 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.
Read MoreCelebrating the Legacy of Florence Nightingale in Hospice NursingHow RN Case Managers Can Maintain Good Compliance with Medicare Guidelines
As a seasoned hospice nurse, I recognize the significance of adhering to Medicare guidelines to ensure top-notch patient care. Medicare guidelines offer a roadmap for hospice providers to offer exceptional care to terminally ill patients and their loved ones. Nonetheless, upholding compliance with these guidelines can be a hurdle, especially for smaller hospice providers with limited resources. In this article, we'll delve into how RN case managers can effectively ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines.
Read MoreHow RN Case Managers Can Maintain Good Compliance with Medicare GuidelinesPost-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to Ask
If you or someone you love has a serious illness that cannot be cured, you may have heard of hospice care. Hospice care is a special kind that focuses on making the patient comfortable and peaceful in their final days. Hospice care also supports the family and caregivers emotionally and spiritually.
When a patient joins hospice care, they will have a special meeting with a hospice nurse. This meeting is called the post-admission visit. It is an especially important visit because it will help the patient and the family get to know the hospice team and learn more about the care they will receive.
This article will explain what to expect and what to ask during the post-admission visit. We will also provide tips and resources to help you and your loved one make the most of this time. We hope this article will help you feel more prepared and confident about the hospice journey.
Read MorePost-Admission Visit in Hospice Care: What to Expect and Questions to AskDemonstrating 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.
Read MoreDemonstrating CompassionEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission Visits
Discover essential educational topics for hospice nurses during admission and follow-up visits. Learn how to effectively communicate with patients and families, manage symptoms, provide emotional support, and navigate end-of-life care. Enhance your skills to deliver compassionate, comprehensive hospice care.
Read MoreEducational Topics for Hospice Nurses During Admission and Post-Admission VisitsHospice Nursing Visit Frequencies: A Guide for New Hospice Nurses
As a hospice nurse, determining the appropriate frequency of scheduled nurse visits for your patients is essential to providing effective and compassionate end-of-life care. Patients and their families often rely on your expertise to ensure comfort and well-being during this sensitive time. In this article, we'll discuss suggested starting scheduled nurse visit frequencies, when to decrease or increase frequencies, and factors to consider based on patient acuity and changes in their condition.
Read MoreHospice Nursing Visit Frequencies: A Guide for New Hospice NursesUnderstanding Hospice Eligibility for Terminally Ill Patients with Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia
Navigating hospice eligibility for non-Alzheimer's dementia patients demands a personalized approach. Unlike Alzheimer's, there's no definitive scale, necessitating assessments of functional decline, mobility, communication, incontinence, weight loss, overall condition, and comorbidities. Effective documentation, clinical judgment, and compassionate care are crucial for supporting these patients and families.
Read MoreUnderstanding Hospice Eligibility for Terminally Ill Patients with Non-Alzheimer’s DementiaBreast Cancer: Navigating the Journey with Compassion
Breast cancer is a tough road, affecting patients and their families deeply. As a hospice nurse case manager specializing in compassionate end-of-life care, I comprehend the significance of offering clear, empathetic guidance to families in this challenging situation. This article delves into the journey through breast cancer, the changes your loved one might undergo, and how to deliver optimal care from diagnosis to life's end.
Read MoreBreast Cancer: Navigating the Journey with CompassionUnderstanding the Patient’s Question: When Will I Die?
Navigating the tender journey of hospice care, Compassion Crossing offers guidance on addressing the pivotal question of “when?”—a beacon for caregivers seeking solace and understanding in life’s final chapter.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Patient’s Question: When Will I Die?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
Read MoreUnderstanding the Importance of the PAINAD Scale in Pain Assessment for Terminally Ill PatientsUnderstanding Liver Disease: A Guide for Families
Having a loved one diagnosed with liver disease can be a challenging and emotional journey for both the patient and their family. As an experienced hospice nurse with years of experience in hospice care, I understand the importance of providing compassionate and informative support during this grim time. In this article, we will explore what to expect over the course of liver disease, the changes that may occur in your loved one, and how to provide the best care from onset until the end of life.
Read MoreUnderstanding Liver Disease: A Guide for Families