Hospice doctors are trained in comfort and end-of-life care. They work with patients and the patients' doctors to guide the plan of care. … [Read more...]
Emotional Grief
Just as each grief experience is unique, so are the emotions of grief. If there are others around you grieving the same loss, their feelings of grief may be different than yours. There is no right or wrong way to feel you are grieving. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions you need to feel. Try not to ignore them. Also, don't let others tell you how you should feel. Remember that whatever you … [Read more...]
Changes in Appetite
Near the end of life, it is natural for a person to no longer be interested in food or to be unable to eat or drink. Often nothing tastes good, and cravings come and go. This is often one of the hardest concepts for caregivers to accept because food is the way we nourish the body and share family time together. As the body natural begins to slow down, it is no longer able to digest and … [Read more...]
Common Physical Manifestations of Grief
Grief can come to a person in a variety of ways. Often you can feel sad, but there are some physical ways grief can manifest itself. Here are a couple of normal physical symptoms from grief: Difficulty sleeping - Pain in the Chest or Stomach - Headaches - Over sleeping or eating - Difficulty concentrating or remembering things All of these are normal reactions to the feelings of grief. … [Read more...]
Six things you shouldn’t say to a cancer patient
Many people find themselves at loss for words when they find out someone they know is suffering from cancer. Even with the best of intentions, they can find themselves saying things that are hurtful without realizing their impact on the cancer patient. Caring for someone close to you who has been diagnosed with cancer is no small task. So, if you find yourself in such a situation and want to show … [Read more...]
Caring for a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease
As a caregiver of someone with Parkinson's disease, you have a lot to do: * You help maintain the quality of life for your loved one. * You educate yourself about symptoms, treatments, and the progression of the disease. * You keep track of appointments with the doctor, medication schedules, and exercise. * You offer the love and support necessary to meet the challenges of Parkinson's … [Read more...]
When to Start the Conversation
Contact: Debbie Mosbacher 832.410.3198 [email protected] Patients are eligible for hospice care when they have six months or less to live. However, clinicians agree that prognosticating life expectancy can be difficult. There may be many different factors to take into account. If any of the following apply to a patient, it may be time to discuss his or her preferences … [Read more...]
Hospice Care
Considered tho be the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life- limiting illness or injury, hospice care involves a team- oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient's loved ones as well. At the center of hospice and palliative care is … [Read more...]
Sugarland Hospice explains what is grief and bereavement
Grief may be experienced in response to physical losses, such as death, or in response to symbolic or social losses such as divorce of loss of a job. The grief experience can be affected by one's history and support system. Taking care of yourself and accessing the support of friends and family can help you cope with your grief experience. There is no right way to grieve. It is an individual … [Read more...]
More people choosing Hospice at life’s end
People facing a fatal illness often find their fears and pain exacerbated by lack of control -- with doctors poking and prodding and treating and testing even as the end grows near. Hospice care, however, can give back some control over someone's final days through its compassionate focus on treating pain and helping both the dying person and the person's family emotionally grapple with what's … [Read more...]
