Being a caregiver is challenging in the best of times, but it’s incredibly emotional – and stressful – when you’re caring for a parent toward the end of their life. While the support of siblings is always helpful, making decisions that honor your parent’s wishes may be easier said than done.
Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/end-of-life-caregiving-with-your-siblings/ Hospice teams consist of a network of providers who provide a range of care—from clinical and compassionate to task-oriented to 100% dedicated to our clients’ comfort and emotional well-being. Our hospice chaplains are a vital link in this chain of support.
While the title “chaplain” has religious connotations, hospice chaplains are not your average “clergy.” They understand and welcome the fact that our hospice clients and families come from a broad range of religious and spiritual traditions, including no traditions at all or 100% atheist. That’s just fine with us, and all are absolutely welcome! Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/how-a-hospice-chaplain-supports-clients-who-arent-religious/ Keeping clients comfortable, cared for, and in a soothing environment is a top priority for hospice providers. We want clients to die surrounded by the things that bring them the greatest ease and peace of mind. One way to do this is by upholding the ambiance around the deathbed in the manner our clients prefer.
We do this in various ways, including creating detailed end-of-life plans that include a client’s wishes and preferences (along with what they don’t want) in the months, weeks, and days leading up to their death. Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/hospice-provides-ambiance-and-comfort-care-at-the-bedside/ Being fully present and honoring the dying person is one of the most invaluable gifts we can give to those we love. However, all too often, our own emotions get in the way, preventing loved ones from having the unconditional support they need to engage in their own dying and death process fully.
Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/are-your-emotions-hindering-a-loved-ones-dying-process/ Our contemporary awareness and honoring of the emotional stages of dying and grief are rooted in the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist. Made famous by her pioneering work in near-death studies, Kübler-Ross conceptualized five common emotional stages experienced by her clients facing terminal illness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (DABDA).
Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/understanding-the-emotional-stages-of-dying/ The word palliative means “relieving symptoms without treating the condition.” This is precisely the role of palliative care in hospice.
Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/the-role-of-palliative-care-in-hospice/ Hospice is an incredible service that supports clients (and their families) when they're nearing the end of their life. It is funded by Medicare to make it completely free and available to anyone who qualifies.
It is one of the most ethical, tender, and morale-centered clinical services in existence - and the Hospice Foundation of America, the National Association for Homecare & Hospice, and the millions of people who work for hospice strive to uphold high ethical standards. Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/the-ethics-of-hospice-care/ Hospice care was initially designed for patients with cancer or other terminal illnesses. Unlike dementia, where patients can wind up in a decline that lasts for years, patients with cancer or terminal illnesses follow relatively predictable declines - especially after stopping disease treatment or when treatments no longer work.
Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/hospice-care-and-dementia/ The use of music as a soothing tool is ancient, but the earliest references to music as a medical therapy were cited in the 18th century. Since then, schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and hospice agencies have used music therapy to help soothe, calm, and restore their patients.
According to the American Music Therapy Association (musictherapy.org), music therapy is a research-informed service that uses music interventions to meet the psychosocial and physical needs of hospice patients. If you or your loved one appreciate music or use it as a tool for focus, relaxation, or emotional processing, speak to your hospice agency and see if their volunteers offer music therapy as an option. If you are in the process of choosing a hospice care provider, ask whether music therapy is an offering. Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/music-therapy-in-hospice-care/ Last month we highlighted all the ways hospice volunteers bring joy, ease, and enhanced quality of remaining life to our hospice clients. However, humans aren’t the only ones who bring warmth and cheer into our client’s households. Our four- (and sometimes three-) legged pet volunteers leave warmer hearts and broad smiles wherever they visit.
Pets play a huge role in the palliative and home care worlds, and we utilize our animal volunteers in a range of settings - from nursing homes and hospitals to people’s homes and our own hospice house. Read the rest of this article at https://hospice.me/the-role-of-pets-in-hospice-care/ |
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