The coronavirus will be a factor for some time, making proper training imperative for caregivers During the three months leading into June, more than 40,600 long-term care residents and workers died of COVID-19 — about 40 percent of the virus’ mortality rate. COVID-19 has created…
A Hospice Nurse’s Path to Personal and Professional Fulfillment: Stories from VITAS Healthcare This year, National Nurses Week (typically celebrated from May 6 to 12) extended into a month-long celebration, with America’s most honest profession being honored all through May. National Nurses Month provides…
The grieving process is something that everyone will experience in their life, and nurses probably will experience it more often than most. By following these four steps, the grieving process can be managed and overcome healthily and efficiently. Accepting the reality of the loss…
Lay caregivers are alone most of the time with their patient. It is vital that the caregiver is confident and competent with comfort strategies. Here are seven comforting tips for an end-of-life situation that lay caregivers should be taught and understood before taking on…
Hospice care is not about killing patients. Physician-assisted suicide is about killing patients. Hospice care is defined as a program for individuals diagnosed by 2 physicians, with 6 months or less to live, should the disease run its current course.1 Hospice care gives support to that individual with a focus…
Hospice nursing is a delicate balance of specialized clinical care focused on relieving pain, treating symptoms of advanced disease, and providing compassion and communication during one of the most challenging times in a person’s life. It’s not a surprise, then, that finding nurses with…
Approaching the end-of-life can be daunting. As America’s population ages, more and more people are faced with care decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Anne Elizabeth Denny explained, “It’s important for all of us to prepare for these future healthcare decisions.” Denny, an…
Hospice nursing presents specific challenges which require a multidiscipline approach to care. Healthcare professionals can feel uncomfortable discussing hospice care and the needs of the patient at end of life. Studies have shown that those physicians who discuss hospice alternatives with their patients have…
According to the Current Populations Reports, issued in 2014, the aging population will double between the years of 2012 and 2050. As of 2012, it was estimated at 43.1 million people; by 2050 that is expected to grow to be 83.7 million 12. The number…
This article appeared Nov. 19 in the online edition of ADVANCE. 1. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (2013). NHPCO’s facts and figures: Hospice care in America. (2013ed), 1-18. 2. About.com website (n.d.). Hospice facts and stats. Retrieved from http://assistedliving.about.com/od/Hospice/a/Hospice-Facts-And-Stats.htm 3. Holistic Health Care. (n.d.). Mosby’s…