When you or a loved one is faced with a life limiting illness, making informed decisions will be key to serenity for all. Join us as we explore the ultimate goal and the purpose of Hospice care. In this article you will learn a bit more about the four pillars of purpose.
2 min read
Finding Comfort: The Purpose of Hospice Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 23, 2022 4:38:22 PM
3 min read
Show Yourself Some Love: Self-Care for Caregivers
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Feb 28, 2022 11:28:59 AM
As we continue to see care trends shift to favor in-home care, caregivers are being stretched thin. Caregiving can be incredibly rewarding but it also comes with a great deal of stress and emotional exhaustion.
2 min read
2022: Upcoming Trends in Hospice Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 28, 2022 1:52:30 PM
As we mark two years since the COVID-19 outbreak, people are looking to 2022 with hesitation. The pandemic completely changed how we do nearly everything – especially for those of us in the healthcare industry. If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s how the hospice industry can adapt to a tumultuous landscape.
3 min read
Signs Your Loved One Needs Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Dec 28, 2021 10:30:49 AM
For many families, the holiday season may be the first time they’ve spent extended periods with loved ones after dealing with long separations during the pandemic. Because of virtual visits and quarantines, it may be the first chance some have to notice changes in their loved ones. If you’ve noted significant behavioral, cognitive, or physical changes in your loved one, it’s important to take steps to ensure they are getting the care they need.
3 min read
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Nov 30, 2021 4:03:19 PM
As we wrap up the month of November, we want to take a moment to recognize the importance of this month for palliative and hospice care providers.
3 min read
Starting Conversations with Loved Ones About End of Life
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Nov 2, 2021 10:14:10 AM
Dying is a universal experience. As a hospice provider, we talk a lot with our patients and families about opening up about death. Our Voice Your Choice program advocates for the wishes of our patients in their final days. Most of our conversations revolve around end-of-life planning as it relates to advance care planning and advance directives. However, the conversation can, and should, be so much more than that.
2 min read
Tips for Visiting Someone in Hospice Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Sep 27, 2021 12:15:00 PM
It can be difficult to visit with a loved one in hospice. You might put off seeing them because you don’t know what to say or how to handle it. You may wonder whether your visits make a difference. We want you to know that your presence does make a difference.
2 min read
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias 101
By Dr. Arvind Modawal on Sep 24, 2021 3:30:13 PM
By Arvind Modawal, MD MPH AGSF FAAFP, Associate Medical Director Hospice of Southwest Ohio and CareBridge Palliative Care Services
3 min read
Why Physicians and Families Can Trust Hospice of Southwest Ohio
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Sep 2, 2021 10:47:38 AM
When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, many families may not know where to start and may miss a critical window to enroll in hospice care. Far too often, referrals for hospice care are made too late, before a patient and family can benefit from the services hospice actually has to offer. While the transition to hospice care can be a confusing time for patients and their families, we’re here to help. The sooner a patient is referred, the better.
6 min read
The Changing Face of Palliative and Hospice Care Post-COVID
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jul 26, 2021 10:48:32 AM
We are a little over a year into the global COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic last year, we have seen a profound impact on the palliative and hospice care industry. Changes in care due to public health orders, increased demand for medical supplies, and the mental health of staff everywhere have impacted healthcare providers around the world. The hospice and palliative care industry has been heavily impacted by the pandemic.
5 min read
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month With Your Hometown Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 30, 2021 11:30:00 AM
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, making it the perfect opportunity to talk about brain health and dementia. More than 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and it kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. Since 2014, The Alzheimer’s Association has declared June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month to help garner attention and understanding about the disease and show support for those dealing with it. This also serves as a time to recognize the contributions of caregivers and the support they provide to those living with Alzheimer’s.
4 min read
6 Important Facts About Hospice Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 7, 2021 12:02:41 PM
Hospice care is often misunderstood and the full scope of care can be difficult to understand. For patients, family members, loved ones, and physicians, it’s important to have the correct information about hospice so that you can make informed decisions around end-of-life care.
1 min read
End Of Life Care Focused Newsletters For Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on May 4, 2021 9:49:05 AM
In order to better serve our community and partners, Hospice of Southwest Ohio has launched two free newsletter subscriptions. These email newsletters contain helpful resources, education opportunities, and industry news that focuses on end of life care.
3 min read
How social workers are integral to end-of-life care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Mar 22, 2021 2:50:46 PM
March is National Social Work Month and it’s the perfect time to recognize the contributions of social workers to palliative and hospice care.
For those who have had a loved one in end-of-life care, you probably know just how integral social workers and case managers are. These individuals play an important role in helping patients and families navigate a difficult time.
3 min read
Heart Health Awareness With Your Hometown Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Feb 24, 2021 4:23:48 PM
February is American Heart Month and it’s the perfect reminder to make your heart health a priority year-round. President Lyndon B. Johnson first declared February as American Heart Month in 1964 and it has been a nationally recognized holiday since then.
3 min read
Bring It On Home: The Shift To In-Home Care Amid A Pandemic
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 26, 2021 11:16:13 AM
After nearly a year living in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare is still facing an uphill battle as providers try to adapt to each day. For healthcare services that can be provided via telehealth, like therapy and wellness check-ups with a general practitioner, that adaptation may have been more straightforward. What happens in the case of services that can’t be done via web calls and video chat, like hospice and end-of-life care?
4 min read
How to Handle Holiday Depression
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Dec 15, 2020 10:54:00 AM
For most people, the holidays are a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate the season. While things may seem merry and bright, the holidays can also trigger a lot of negative emotions for people. Sadness, loneliness, anxiety and stress can all be heightened around the holidays. This year especially, with so many people isolated from their loved ones and feeling uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those negative feelings may be abundant.
4 min read
How to Have Difficult Family Conversations During the Holidays
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Nov 12, 2020 4:00:10 PM
As the holidays approach, families will gather, either in person or virtually. Between bites of pumpkin pie or during the football game halftime, consider using the time together to discuss some difficult subjects, such as family health history and end-of-life planning for aging parents or relatives.
3 min read
Navigating Grief with Your Hometown Hospice Provider
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Oct 21, 2020 4:02:17 PM
Grief is part of the human condition. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, many loved ones of patients who receive hospice and palliative care experience anticipatory grief before losing a family member or friend. Experts agree grief isn’t linear or time-limited.
4 min read
Transitioning Patients From Palliative Care to Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Oct 1, 2020 1:55:20 PM
Helping Your Patients Understand the Transition from Palliative Care to Hospice
The transition from palliative care to hospice care can be a confusing time for patients and their families. It is likely they will feel many complex emotions including — sadness, fear, anger and more. As their provider, you have an opportunity to empower and educate them by keeping them informed of their options as they navigate the transition.
5 min read
Transitioning From Palliative Care to Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Aug 27, 2020 12:31:11 PM
When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, treating and managing their symptoms becomes a top priority. A large part of successfully caring for someone with a terminal illness is understanding how palliative and hospice care play a role in treatment and what the transition from palliative to hospice entails.
3 min read
How to Open Up About End of Life Planning
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jul 24, 2020 11:18:59 AM
End-of-life planning is a difficult topic to discuss under any circumstances. For family members, the topic can be tough to broach because they don’t want to imagine a reality without their loved one or don’t know how their loved one will react to this type of conversation. For those who are terminally ill, it can be just as hard or intimidating to approach the topic with their children or loved ones. They may be worried about burdening their children with sorting out care options or may be waiting for a physician or caretaker to initiate the conversation for them.
3 min read
A Look at How COVID Is Impacting Hospice
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jul 2, 2020 1:23:15 PM
In the face of coronavirus, we are looking at a difficult and tumultuous time for healthcare professionals, patients and their families.
3 min read
5 Tips to Find Work-Life Balance as a Caregiver
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Mar 18, 2020 9:00:00 AM
Caregiving is a 24/7 job and sometimes that's on top of your existing 9-5.
Not only is being a caregiver a huge time commitment, but it's also emotionally demanding. That being said, caregiving is also incredibly rewarding and truly makes a difference in the lives of so many people.
But, how do you provide care to someone else and manage your daily life without sacrificing your own health and well being?
3 min read
Give Life Back to Your Days: Know When to Start Hospice Care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Feb 20, 2020 10:45:00 AM
Everyone wants to think that they'll have a little more time with their aging family members. It's hard to think about losing someone you love, so a lot of families tend to put off talking about end-of-life care. Having an open and honest conversation with your loved one about their wishes for care is important, and having that conversation early is imperative to providing them with the best quality of life.
3 min read
10 Common Myths About Hospice Care
By David Walsh on Jan 23, 2020 9:27:40 AM
“Hospice” is a word that can strike fear or provide a feeling of peace, depending on the individual. For those who don’t fully understand what hospice care is and what it provides, they tend to fall into the former category rather than the latter. I want to dispel the misconceptions and the common myths about hospice. This speciality end-of-life care focuses on comfort and celebrating life, because every day is a gift.
2 min read
How to start a conversation about the end of life
By Dr. Richard Sternberg on Dec 19, 2019 1:40:00 PM
The ending of life is an inevitability for all living beings, but it’s never easy to part ways. It can be even harder to have a conversation about the ending of a loved one’s life. According to The Conversation Project, 90 percent of people say that talking to their loved ones about end-of-life care is important, but only 27 percent actually do. Too often, we fail to plan for this certainty and leave tough decisions to be made after a loved one has already passed away, rather than learning their true choices and wishes about how to handle their death. You don’t have to wait until the end is imminent; talking about this natural part of life and how to handle it can happen well before it’s time and put everyone’s questions and fears to rest. All you have to do is get started.
2 min read
What is in-home primary care?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Nov 19, 2019 10:10:00 AM
In-home primary care is for anyone homebound with a serious injury or illness, regardless of age or prognosis. It’s a personalized experience, in the comfort of one’s own home. This type of care focuses on managing symptoms and providing treatment to promote a better quality of life. In-home primary care is offered by Hospice of Southwest Ohio’s partner organization, CareBridge Primary and Palliative Care.
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Connections are key when looking into senior living and hospice care in Cincinnati
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Oct 22, 2019 9:00:00 AM
As an older adult, or as an adult child or caregiver of one, it can be overwhelming to know what senior living and healthcare options exist and where to begin when looking into them. The good news is that there are experts who can help you and your family navigate the major life decisions that need to be made as you age.
2 min read
Is hospice a place?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Sep 17, 2019 9:30:00 AM
Many people think of hospice as a physical building you go to when you are nearing the end of your life. But hospice is not a place, even though there are hospice care centers around the country that specialize in end-of-life care. Hospice care most often takes place in the home or in a place that is currently home, such as an assisted living facility, skilled nursing center or long-term care community. While hospice care is typically reserved for the last six months of life, it can extend beyond that timeframe. Rather than a cure, hospice focuses on comfort and improving the quality of life.
2 min read
Why Hospice of Southwest Ohio is your best choice for hospice care in Cincinnati
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Aug 20, 2019 1:30:00 PM
There are likely multiple options available to you when it’s time to choose a hospice provider. It can sometimes be an overwhelming choice to make and one that should not be taken lightly. Doing research beforehand can make the process smoother and less stressful. Here are ten reasons why Hospice of Southwest Ohio should be at the top of your list if you live in Clermont, Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties in the greater Cincinnati area.
2 min read
A new wave of younger adult hospice caregivers
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jul 17, 2019 10:00:00 AM
When a parent, relative or friend receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, you may quickly find yourself stepping into the role of a hospice caregiver. In recent years, many adults have taken on this role much earlier than anticipated. In some cases, the individual with cancer may not yet be eligible to receive Medicare benefits, potentially putting the caregiver in a difficult place financially as they deal with medical costs. Discover resources to help you prepare and care for your loved one as you step into your new role of caregiver.
2 min read
Tips to prevent burnout for hospice caregivers
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 17, 2019 1:30:00 PM
It’s not easy taking care of a hospice patient in a home setting. Sometimes, caregivers suffer from physical or emotional exhaustion from taking care of a loved one around the clock. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between supporting a loved one in hospice and tending to the rest of your life and responsibilities. Don’t give up activities that are important to you, such as your work or your hobbies. To prevent burnout, here are some tips for hospice caregivers.
3 min read
The hospice process
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on May 15, 2019 9:00:00 AM
When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it can be hard to know where to begin. You want to ensure they receive the best care possible and are comfortable during the rest of their life, while also understanding what the options are for care and how everything will be covered financially. First things first, it’s important to define the criteria for who can receive hospice care.
1 min read
Making memories for those in hospice care
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Feb 25, 2019 4:33:47 PM
Verena Shiflett, a 48-year-old Cincinnati-area mother in hospice care for a lung disorder, had one final dream: to see her 18-year-old daughter, Rhonda, graduate from high school.
1 min read
Hospice of Southwest Ohio’s Joe McDermott receives Hospice Award of Excellence
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Oct 8, 2018 10:10:19 AM
The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice (OCHCH) presented the Hospice Award of Excellence Joe McDermott, LPN for his compassionate dedication of more than 7 years of service to the patients, family members and staff at Hospice of Southwest Ohio.
1 min read
An honor for our volunteer
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on May 23, 2018 3:23:18 PM
Hospice of Southwest Ohio is proud to have one of our volunteers, Paul Carlson, honored by Honor Flight Tri-State. Paul is better know around our community as Santa's Elf "Sparkles" during the holiday season. Paul was escorted by his son Erick. HSWO thanks Paul for his service!
2 min read
HSWO's Tabetha Morelock receives Aide of the Year Award
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Sep 26, 2017 2:28:40 PM
The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice (OCHCH) presented the State of Ohio Hospice Aide of the Year to Tabetha Morelock, STNA for her dedication of more than 6 years of service to the patients, family members and staff at Hospice of Southwest Ohio.
4 min read
Guide to the dying process
By David Walsh on Sep 11, 2017 5:20:19 PM
The fear of the unknown is always greater than the fear of the known.
5 min read
How hospice works
By David Walsh on May 5, 2017 7:40:22 AM
If you qualify for hospice care, you and your family will work with your hospice team to set up a plan of care that meets your needs. For more specific information on a hospice plan of care, call your national or state hospice organization.
9 min read
How to look out for a relative in a nursing home
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on May 3, 2017 10:24:29 AM
Finally, after ticking off the last item on a lengthy list of must-haves, you think you've found the best nursing home for your Dad. The staff seems caring and professional. It's comfortable, homey, and Dad is OK with it. He might even come to like his new life.
1 min read
Cincy Obscura: Miniature therapy horses at Seven Oaks Farm
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 18, 2017 10:07:03 AM
Hospice of Southwest Ohio is pleased to offer visits from Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses. We are the only hospice in Greater Cincinnati providing loving visits from these miniature horses for our patients and their families.
9 min read
Soothing 'spiritual' pain
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 16, 2017 11:31:14 AM
A chaplain at a New York hospital has designed a board that lets the critically ill communicate their spiritual pain and needs.
1 min read
Frequently asked questions about palliative care
By Dr. Richard Sternberg on Apr 14, 2017 11:31:01 AM
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to medical care for people with both acute and chronic serious illness. Patients may have physical, psychological, social, or spiritual issues because of their disease or treatment. Palliative care serves to lessen pain, control symptoms and improve stress for the both the patient and family. Ultimately, the goal is improving quality of life, assisting with medical decisions and more importantly navigating the healthcare system.
9 min read
'I'm 90 years old, I'm hitting the road'
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 7, 2017 8:19:33 PM
2 min read
Caregiver stress: 10 ways to handle
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Mar 27, 2017 8:44:43 AM
Being a caregiver to your loved one is a vital aspect to their well-being, but it can be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes thankless. Your loved one may lash out at you and make it difficult by refusing to comply with what needs to be done. Your loved one may see you as the person who has taken away his or her freedom and life choices. Most people do not give up making their own decisions easily. But there are things you can do to keep a positive perspective and lower your stress level.
3 min read
The benefits of reminiscence therapy for seniors
By David Walsh on Mar 27, 2017 7:54:07 AM
For both the elderly and their caregivers, the ailments and struggles that come with aging shadow a more carefree, happy past. We’re busy focusing on medication management, installing new handles in the shower or researching assisted living facilities. As dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive issues strengthen their grip on a loved one, many feel as if they’re losing that person they once knew. A similar identity crises may be going on inside for them, as well.
1 min read
What if I can't stay at home?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Feb 21, 2017 2:38:24 PM
What happens if I cannot stay at home due to my increasing care need and require a different place to stay during my final phase of life?
A growing number of hospice programs have their own hospice facilities or have arrangements with freestanding hospice houses, hospitals or inpatient residential centers to care for patients who cannot stay where they usually live. These patients may require a different place to live during this phase of their life when they need extra care. However, care in these settings is not covered under the Medicare or Medicaid Hospice Benefit. It is best to find out, well before hospice may be needed, if insurance or any other payer covers this type of care or if patients/families will be responsible for payment.
1 min read
Can I be cared for by hospice somewhere else?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 30, 2017 2:26:29 PM
Can I be cared for by hospice if I reside in a nursing facility or other type of long-term care facility?
Hospice services can be provided to a terminally ill person wherever they live. This means a patient living in a nursing facility or long-term care facility can receive specialized visits from hospice nurses, home health aides, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers, in addition to other care and services provided by the nursing facility. The hospice and the nursing home will have a written agreement in place in order for the hospice to serve residents of the facility.
1 min read
What role does a hospice volunteer serve?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 24, 2017 10:44:46 AM
What role does the hospice volunteer serve?
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones including running errands, preparing light meals, staying with a patient to give family members a break, and lending emotional support and companionship to patients and family members.
1 min read
How does hospice keep the patient comfortable?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 15, 2017 2:54:25 PM
How does the hospice work to keep the patient comfortable?
Many patients may have pain and other serious symptoms as illness progresses. Our Hospice staff receive special training to care for all types of physical and emotional symptoms that cause pain, discomfort and distress. Because keeping the patient comfortable and pain-free is an important part of hospice care, many hospice programs have developed ways to measure how comfortable the patient is during the course of their stay in hospice. Hospice staff works with the patient’s physician to make sure that medication, therapies, and procedures are designed to achieve the goals outlined in the patient’s care plan. The care plan is reviewed frequently to make sure any changes and new goals are in the plan.
1 min read
Will I be the only patient served?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jan 10, 2017 8:51:09 PM
Will I be the only hospice patient that the hospice staff serves?
Every hospice patient has access to a hospice volunteer, registered nurse, social worker, home health aide, and chaplain (also known as the interdisciplinary team). For each patient and family, the interdisciplinary team writes a care plan with the patient/family that is used to make sure the patient and family receive the care they need from the team. Typically, full-time registered nurses provide care to about a dozen different families. Social workers usually work with about twice the number of patients/families as nurses. If needed, home health aides, who provide personal care to the patient, will visit most frequently.
1 min read
A Christmas message from our CEO
By David Walsh on Dec 23, 2016 7:17:55 AM
To our valued staff, volunteers, friends and partners ~~
Another year has swiftly passed and this brings us to the brink of a new year – a year that will bring significant challenges, to which we will, no doubt, rise above. This year has shown that despite the enormity of the challenges facing us as part of the health care reform, we are resilient and will remain so.
1 min read
When is the right time for hospice?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Dec 8, 2016 9:48:48 AM
Now is always the best time to learn more about hospice and ask questions about what to expect from hospice services. Although end-of-life care may be difficult to discuss, it is best for family members to share their wishes long before it becomes a concern. This can greatly reduce stress when the time for hospice is needed. By having these discussions in advance, patients are not forced into uncomfortable situations. Instead, patients can make an educated decision that includes the advice and input of family members and loved ones.
Quotation on serving others
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Nov 12, 2016 8:35:29 PM
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
Arthur Ashe
2 min read
Hospice of Southwest Ohio Chaplain Tracy Paul Downs receives the Award of Excellence
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Sep 26, 2016 12:30:56 PM
The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice (OCHCH) presented the Award of Excellence in Hospice to Chaplain Tracy Paul Downs for her more than 10 years of service to the patients, family members and staff at Hospice of Southwest Ohio.
2 min read
Hospice of Southwest Ohio merges high tech with high touch
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 26, 2014 1:06:15 PM
Packing for one last visit with her dying father in Ohio, an Illinois woman gets the call that her father is rapidly declining. It is clear she will not be able to reach him before he passes away at the Patient Care Center at Hospice of Southwest Ohio (HSWO) in Cincinnati.
Then, the HSWO nurse on duty proposes that the daughter log onto her computer to be connected to HSWO’s VGo (pronounced VEE go) robot, virtually bringing her into the room with her father. She converses with her father and is able to say a final goodbye.
If you’re waiting for payers to figure out telemedicine, stop
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 23, 2014 3:21:46 AM
If you think that payers are the ones who will answer all the sticky questions about implementation and reimbursement for telemedicine, you are doomed to disappointment. That was the consensus among several industry leaders at an Industry Council Executive Session yesterday at the ATA’s annual conference in Baltimore. Dr. Joe Peterson, the CEO of Specialists on Call, said that 2013 was the tipping point for telemedicine when the conversation moved from “if” to “when.” Read more.
Surging use of telemedicine
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Jun 18, 2014 11:57:05 PM
UPMC is experiencing a growth spurt in telemedicine as the hospital network expands use of the technology to consumers seeking urgent care or consultation with a doctor or nurse. Telemedicine is shaping up to be the next big thing in health care and UPMC is establishing a beachhead in the new model of care, increasing the number of patient visits by 49 percent to 10,000 visits in 2013 when compared to 2012. In addition, UPMC has dramatically reduced unnecessary hospital readmissions through the use of remote monitoring. Read more.
Hospitals partner with long-term care to reduce readmissions
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on May 13, 2014 3:30:38 PM
The 30-day preventable readmissions penalty instituted by CMS in 2012 might not be very popular with hospitals, but it has been effective in ramping up the focus on how to keep patients from coming back to the emergency room after being discharged. The looming financial repercussions have forced hospitals to look beyond the care their patients receive while admitted, and have fostered more integrated partnerships with long-term care organizations, hospice facilities, and other post-acute care programs to provide more robust patient education, medication adherence, skilled monitoring, and palliative care proven to aid patients after hospitalization without additional inpatient intervention. Read more.
1 min read
What is an advance directive?
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 29, 2014 4:22:29 PM
The reality is that too many of us spend our last days in ways we would never choose. According to a recent poll by the California Health Care Foundation, more than 90 percent of people think it’s important to talk about their wishes for end-of-life care, yet less than 30 percent of people have discussed what they want. Expressing our end-of-life wishes relieves our families and loved ones from the burden of making tough decisions for us.
A 'code death' for dying patients
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 25, 2014 4:10:45 PM
Sadly, but with conviction, I recently removed breathing tubes from three patients in intensive care. As an I.C.U. doctor, I am trained to save lives. Yet the reality is that some of my patients are beyond saving. And while I can use the tricks of my trade to keep their bodies going, many will never return to a quality of life that they, or anyone else, would be willing to accept. Read more.
Hospice care can make death more comfortable
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 25, 2014 4:09:50 PM
Nobody likes talking about death, but experts say having a conversation is an important part of making sure death is as comfortable as possible. This week on WRVO's health and wellness show "Take Care," hosts Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen speak with Amy Tucci, president and CEO of the Hospice Foundation of America. Tucci explains how hospice can help ease suffering for those who are dying and their families. Read more.
All adults need these three end-of-life documents
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 25, 2014 4:06:11 PM
Great-aunt Margaret was 95. She had no children and her husband had been dead for decades. Always efficient, she had outlined her requirements at the end of her life to a favorite niece. Read more.
House calls are making a comeback
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 25, 2014 4:04:27 PM
A relic from the medical past — the house call — is returning to favor as part of some hospitals’ palliative care programs, which are sending teams of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and other workers to patients’ homes after they are discharged. The goal is two-fold: to provide better treatment and to cut costs. Read more.
Hospice: More than saying goodbye
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Apr 25, 2014 4:01:40 PM
Statistically, the average person who enters hospice care uses its services for about two weeks before death occurs. Darla Wilson, executive director of Hospice and Home Care of Reno County/McPherson, thinks that’s a shame. Read more.
Hospice of Southwest Ohio's Care Center celebrates opening
By Hospice of Southwest Ohio on Mar 3, 2014 2:10:23 AM
A community open house on Feb. 13, 2014, celebrated the opening of Hospice of Southwest Ohio's Care Center at 7625 Camargo Road in Madeira. The center's first patient was accepted on February 20.