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Tough Essential Conversations Part 5: DO NOT RESUSCITATE

Tough Essential Conversations Part 5: DO NOT RESUSCITATE

Part 5: DO NOT RESUSCITATE We are often asked if someone has to have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) in place to be on hospice; the answer is no. However, when a patient is on hospice and given a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of 6 months or less, death is expected....

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Tough Essential Conversations Part 4: STOP HOSPITALIZATIONS

Tough Essential Conversations Part 4: STOP HOSPITALIZATIONS

Part 4: STOP HOSPITALIZATIONS When the prognosis of six months or less has been given, hospice is in place, and advance directives are written, hospitalizations will be discouraged. Why do we do this? Hospitals are breeding grounds for bacterias, viral infections,...

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Tough Essential Conversations Part 3: STOP EATING

Tough Essential Conversations Part 3: STOP EATING

Part 3: STOP EATING At death there are stages of decline, one of which is the body beginning to shut down in increments. One of the major body systems to stop working is the digestive system. The digestive system takes up a lot of energy. Towards the end of life, the...

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Tough Essential Conversations Part 2: MORPHINE

Tough Essential Conversations Part 2: MORPHINE

Part 2: MORPHINE Just like the word hospice, the medication morphine often has a negative connotation as well. Many people who are not educated and even some who are, believe that administering morphine will put the patient in a comatose-like state or sedate them so...

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Tough Essential Conversations Part 1: HOSPICE

Tough Essential Conversations Part 1: HOSPICE

One of the hardest talents to acquire in hospice is having the ability to initial “hard conversations”. Being able to converse with the patients and their families about end of life care is essential to the process. As a patient's disease progresses, the preparation...

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The Dying Process During the Pandemic

The Dying Process During the Pandemic

Experiencing a loss is always difficult, but during a pandemic its possible to experience multiple losses all at once. 2020 was a hard year for everyone as most people experienced a loss of some sort, whether it be the loss of a job, school, social interaction, the...

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12 Days of Christmas Love & Joy

12 Days of Christmas Love & Joy

The holiday anticipation can be a cloudy experience when we are grieving.  This year, it is compounded by the restrictions associated with the pandemic.  Many people experiencing the loss of a loved one during this trying time, struggle with finding any joy in the...

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