Articles are published one to several times per week. The following are upcoming articles over the next several weeks:

September 2024

• The Myth of Medications and Terminal Illness: How to Cope with the Reality of Losing a Loved One - September 20, 2024 - Discover the truth behind the myth that medications can keep terminally ill patients alive indefinitely. This article explores the psychological factors behind this belief, its consequences, and provides compassionate strategies to cope with the reality of losing a loved one while ensuring quality end-of-life care.
• Exploring Dementia Care: Choosing the Right Healthcare Provider - September 23, 2024 - Dementia is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of individuals, often requiring specialized care. When it comes to supporting a loved one with dementia, understanding the types of healthcare providers available is essential. Each specialist brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table. In this article, we will delve into the various types of healthcare providers for dementia and help you understand when to consider one specialist over another.
• How Different Types of Illnesses Affect Our Lives and Deaths: A Summary of a Research Paper by Joanne Lynn and Colleagues - September 25, 2024 - Have you ever wondered how different types of illnesses affect our lives and deaths? How do we cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of our health? How do we plan for our future and make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones? In this article, we will summarize and discuss the main points and findings of the paper and explore how they relate to our own lives and deaths. We will also provide some practical and actionable suggestions for you to cope with and plan for your own and your loved ones’ trajectories. Our goal is to help you understand the different types of illness trajectories, and how they affect our lives and deaths, and what we can do to prepare for them.
• White Matter Disease: A Guide for Families - September 27, 2024 - If you are reading this article, you may have a loved one who has been diagnosed with white matter disease. You may be feeling confused, worried, or overwhelmed by this diagnosis. You may have many questions about what white matter disease is, how it affects your loved one, and what you can do to help them. You are not alone. Many families face similar challenges and emotions when dealing with white matter disease. This article is designed to help you understand white matter disease and its impact on your loved one and family. It will provide background information on white matter disease, explain its symptoms and causes, and discuss its diagnosis and treatment. It will also guide you through the stages of white matter disease and what to expect at each stage. It will offer tips and resources on caring for your loved one and yourself and coping with the changes and challenges that white matter disease brings. It will also help you decide when to consider hospice services for your loved one and what they entail.
• Who are the Primary Caregivers for Hospice Patients? - September 30, 2024 - If you are reading this article, you may be a family member or a friend of someone who is receiving hospice care. Hospice care is a special type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for people who have a life-limiting illness and their loved ones. Hospice care does not aim to cure the illness but to provide comfort, relief, and support to the patient and the family. As a primary caregiver, you play a vital role in hospice care. You are the person who knows the patient best, who provides most of the day-to-day care, and who communicates with the hospice team and other health care providers. You are also the person who faces many challenges and emotions as you care for your loved one. You may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, stressed, or isolated at times. You may also feel grateful, fulfilled, proud, or hopeful at other times. Whatever you feel, you are not alone. You are part of a team that includes the patient, the hospice staff, and other caregivers.

October 2024

• Estimating Dementia Stages Without a Diagnosis - October 2, 2024 - This article is like a flashlight in the dark. It’s here to shine a light on the path ahead, even when we don’t have all the answers. We’ll talk about how dementia can affect people differently and share some common signs that can help you guess what stage your loved one might be in.
• When It’s Time for Hospice in Dementia Care - October 4, 2024 - This article provides a compassionate guide for families and caregivers of individuals with dementia. It aims to offer insight into the progression of dementia and how to recognize when it may be time to consider hospice care. This article seeks to empower you with knowledge and understanding so you can make informed decisions that honor the dignity and comfort of your loved one.
• How Hospice Patients Can Access Emergency Care Without Losing Their Benefits - October 7, 2024 - Hospice care focuses on comfort, not curing illness. But what if an emergency arises? This guide explains when hospice covers emergency care, how to proceed, and how hospice services continue during/after hospitalization - ensuring you make informed decisions without losing benefits.
• Unveiling the Complexities of SSRIs: Half-Life, Risks, and Misconceptions - October 9, 2024 - Dive into the world of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and their role in treating depression. Discover the importance of medication half-life, the risks of serotonin syndrome, and why the chemical imbalance theory of depression is being challenged. Learn about the concerns of overprescription in older adults.
• Navigating the Stormy Waters of Dementia-Related Aggression - October 11, 2024 - Explore the complex world of dementia-related aggression and learn how to identify its underlying causes. This comprehensive guide offers insights into medication-related issues, pain management, and non-pharmacological interventions. Discover compassionate care strategies to support patients and caregivers on this challenging journey.
• A Summary Review of the Twelve Known Types of Dementia - October 14, 2024 - This article summarizes the twelve known types of dementia, which are the most common and well-studied forms of this condition. You will learn about the signs and symptoms of each type, how they are diagnosed, what causes them, and how they are treated. This article is intended for family members and caregivers of people with dementia who may want to understand more about the condition and how to support their loved ones.
• Best Practices for IDG Meetings in Hospice Care - October 16, 2024 - Hospice care is about providing compassionate support and comfort to patients during their end-of-life journey. Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings ensure the highest quality care for hospice patients and their families. These meetings bring together a diverse team of professionals to discuss patient care plans, address concerns, and collaborate on providing holistic support. However, these meetings can sometimes become overwhelming and time-consuming. Let's explore some best practices to make the most of IDG meetings while keeping patient-centered care at the forefront.
• Understanding Emergency Admissions in Hospice - October 18, 2024 - As a hospice nurse, it took me a few years to understand the value of emergency admissions. Dying is not typically considered an emergency, and hospice is not the same as emergency medical services (EMS). The healthcare provider that would sign off and provide the prescriptions for comfort medications and the pharmacy involved cannot guarantee prompt delivery times, especially in rural areas. Yet, the longer I have worked in hospice, I've found value in emergency admissions when the patient is imminent, meaning they will either die naturally during the admission or within the next one to two weeks. In this article, I will present what an emergency admission in hospice looks like from behind the scenes to the patient and family.
• How to Find a Care Facility for Your Loved One with Dementia When You Feel Out of Options - October 21, 2024 - Caring for a loved one with dementia in rural areas can be challenging when local care facility options are limited. This guide explores alternatives, such as contacting organizations like the Alzheimer's Association, considering different facility types (adult day care, long-term care, respite care, memory care), seeking financial assistance, evaluating hospice eligibility, and assessing life plan/continuing care communities. It also addresses the legal and ethical implications of using hospitals as a last resort.
• Decoding Dementia: Early Signs, Care Choices, and When to Call Hospice - October 23, 2024 - Learn to recognize early dementia signs and explore care options, including hospice. This guide offers insights into dementia, practical care tips, and when to seek professional help.