When grieving the loss of a friend or family member who has been under hospice care, it helps knowing that their last days were made as comfortable and as pain-free as possible. Opting for hospice care means that the patient and family probably had some time to make end-of-life preparations. Nevertheless, when the moment arrives, we may find it challenging to fully cope with our own sorrow and the grief experienced by those around us.
Hospice care is a type of specialized medical care that is focused on providing comfort and support to patients with a terminal illness or condition. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families by managing symptoms, relieving pain, and addressing emotional and spiritual needs.
CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants), also referred to as Home Health Aides, have been called the unsung heroes of hospice care. Their role, as part of the hospice team, is crucial. Under the supervision of a RN (Registered Nurse), CNAs and Home Health Aides provide daily care to enhance a patient’s daily life, wellness and dignity – which includes essential and basic tasks, such as:
Come out this Saturday, 10/15, from 10am-4pm, at The Gregory School campus at 3231 North Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ 85712.
When caring for patients, care providers are concerned with patients’ physical needs as well as their emotional well-being. One way to improve a patient’s mood is to schedule a visit with a therapy pet. Whether it’s a cat, dog or a different animal altogether, pets can enter a room and immediately make it a brighter, happier place to be. A recent study reported that patients who spent 10 minutes with a therapy dog reported less pain than those getting conventional treatment alone.
While many hospice professionals focus on patients’ physical and psychological needs, spiritual care often rests with a highly skilled and compassionate member of the caregiving team: The chaplain.
As a hospice nurse, you know that you have a challenging and rewarding job. Helping people with quality care in the final stages of life is among the most important jobs of all. Not only can you support the person in need of care, but you can also provide comfort and happiness to friends and family members.
Chuck Zimmerman sent us this beautiful gift of appreciation!
Chuck Zimmerman is a local fiduciary in Tucson, AZ and Arista Home Health and Hospice has had the privilege of taking care of some of his clients over the past few years.
From the staff at Arista Healthcare,
Thank you, Chuck Zimmerman for the Edible Arrangement!
A question we hear regularly is “what are the Medicare qualifications, and do I qualify”.
Home health care includes a wide range of health and social services brought into your home to treat illness or injury. The complete services covered by Medicare’s home health benefit include skilled nursing care, therapy, and care provided by a home health aide. Depending on the circumstances, home health care will be covered by either Part A or Part B.
In hospice care, patients and their loves ones are often aware the end is near, but it does not make it any less difficult for family members to accept. Many friends and family, even nurses and caregivers, are afraid of saying the wrong thing. They do not want to make a bad impression or seem insensitive. However, the most important thing to remember is to be yourself. The end may be near, so now is the time to show how much you care.