So very true. Engaging with #Hospice and #endoflife care is already difficult. I have a colleague who has been using #hospice for almost 2 years. Thankfully, she had a good group, but replacements are always difficult for the #caregiver and #patient when people leave. Here are some essential questions to ask when you are picking a hospice group (including inpatient): 1. What are the group's annual turnover rate and attrition? 2. Is the staff local or traveling? What is the staff makeup? traveling vs locals 3. How will change be communicated, and by whom? 4. How many patients does the average hospice nurse see? (ratios). 5. How are late nights, after-hours, and holidays handled? 6. Do the nurses assigned have a #specially? Meaning do they usually treat #cancer patients or #neurodegenerative diseases like #dementia and #Parkinsons or #CHF? While beggars can't be choosers, it's helpful if there is a #specialty in their end-of-life experience to align with the patient #diagnosis, as the management can be very different. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this important message. #findyourwhy #patientadvocate ##endoflife #hospice #palliativecare
Author of GONE FROM MY SIGHT aka: "the hospice blue book", NHPCO Hospice Innovator Award, End of Life Educator
You wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes without trying them on to see if they’re a good fit — yet we accept hospice services a hospital or a physician tells us to use. There is a saying that “a rose is a rose is a rose.” Well, a hospice is not necessarily a hospice is NOT necessarily a hospice. If you or a physician think it is time for hospice services for your special person, start interviewing agencies in your area. Most areas have more than one hospice. Talk with as many as you can find. Ask them questions and let them know your expectations.. Assess their warmth, their availability, and how you feel talking with them. There are excellent hospice agencies out there. You are going to be guided by and working with an agency during a very important, emotionally-charged time. You want the hospice you choose to be “a good fit.” #hospice #endoflifedoula #endoflife #endoflifecare #hospicenurse #caregiverlife #familycaregiver #caregiving #caregivingfortheelderly #caregivinglife #gonefrommysight #death #deathanddying #deatheducation #deathworker
