Tips for Nurses

Assessing Patients on the FAST Scale: A Guide for Nurses

As a nurse who has cared for many terminally ill individuals with Alzheimer’s disease over the years, I understand the importance of accurately assessing their functional decline using the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). The FAST scale provides valuable information about the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and helps guide appropriate care planning for patients and their families. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of assessing patients on the FAST scale, starting from stage 1 and discussing when to stop reading the scale for determination. I will also provide three examples of patients at various stages of the FAST scale.

Revisiting 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.

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.

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.

How 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.

Post-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.

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.

Encouraging Dementia Patients to Take a Bath or Shower: 3 Gentle Methods

Discover gentle methods to encourage dementia patients to bathe. Learn how to create a positive bathing experience, use distraction techniques, and maintain a consistent routine. These compassionate approaches help caregivers navigate hygiene challenges while preserving dignity and reducing stress for both patient and caregiver.

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