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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Bring it on home: the shift to in-home care amid a pandemic

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? 

Handling Holiday Depression

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.