WHEN THEY WON'T EAT...
Hospice patients often have changing patterns of eating and drinking. We think of food as much more than fuel. We think of it as comfort, enjoyment and protection. We also think of eating as a way to prolong life. It is very hard for family members to see their loved one with no appetite or unable to eat. A common reaction is to want to begin nutritional supplements, tube feedings or even IVs with the idea that “it couldn’t hurt.” When your loved one is nearing the end stage
HOW TO AVOID YET ANOTHER BATH WAR
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you know bath time can be a real battle. Your loved one or resident may say “I just had a bath!” or “Get away from me!” Sometimes, the individual can even become aggressive. Why do people with dementia struggle so much with bath time? First, people with dementia often don’t understand the “why” of bathing. They simply don’t recognize the need anymore. In addition, bathing involves many small steps (going to t
HELPING YOUR SERIOUSLY ILL LOVED ONE THROUGH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS
As your loved one progresses through a serious illness, it’s only natural that he or she will face difficult emotions: fear, anger, sadness and much more. Yet not all people can express these emotions clearly. Perhaps your loved one is tearful, withdrawn, irritable or very worried. You may notice personality changes or feel that your loved one is distressed, but not know how to help. Below are some suggestions for how to connect and accompany your loved one through this diffi
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSPICE SERVICES
There are many myths and misconceptions about hospice care. The lack of understanding can create a barrier that prevents people who need and qualify for the benefit from actually receiving hospice care. We thought it would be helpful if we answered some of the most commonly asked questions in this week’s blog update. Hospice FAQ Q: How do patients pay for hospice care? A: Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance plans will pay for hospice services. T
HOSPICE CAN HELP PREVENT UNNECESSARY HOSPITAL READMISSIONS
When asked, the majority of people will say that if given a choice they would prefer to die at home and not in a hospital setting. Avoiding unnecessary trips to the emergency department is key to supporting that wish and helping patients and their families create a more positive end-of-life experience. A study published in Health Affairs shined light on some tough end-of-life statistics: Over half of those who were not receiving the support of hospice visited the hospital at
HOW TO START END-OF-LIFE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS
For many families, the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays are the one time of year when everyone is together. If your family has a loved one who is living with a life-limiting illness or a senior whose health is declining, spending time together takes on even greater meaning. While it might seem difficult to do during the festivities of the season, talking with your loved one about their wishes for the future is usually best accomplished during face-to-face visits like this. Tal
THE BENEFITS OF HOSPICE FOR NURSING HOMES AND ALF’S
We now know studies indicate that nursing home residents enrolled in hospice are less likely to be hospitalized in their final month of life than those not enrolled in hospice. But what are some of the other benefits of working with hospice? Integrating hospice care into your facilities so that residents can age in place can not only benefit your residents and families but also your facility. How Hospice Benefits Your Facility: RN services 2x/week as clinically necessary to a
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: FIVE SIGNS THAT YOUR LOVED ONE MAY BE READY FOR HOSPICE
The goal of our hospice program is to help our patients live comfortably when a cure is no longer possible. When time matters most, our team of specially trained clinicians and caregivers deliver expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the needs of your loved one. Rather than providing treatment, Hospice is more about managing pain and other symptoms during the last stages of life. For some, the disease can progress slowly and leav
