Navigating Anticipatory Grief: Finding Meaning and Healing During the Holiday Season
The holiday season can be an incredibly complex emotional landscape when you're facing the impending loss of a loved one. Anticipatory grief – the profound sorrow experienced before an expected loss – can feel overwhelming, especially during a time traditionally associated with joy and togetherness. As you walk this difficult path, remember that your feelings are valid, and there are ways to find comfort and meaning during this challenging time.
Can a Hospice Patient Travel?
When a loved one is in hospice care, the question of whether they can travel often arises. The short answer is that it is possible, but it requires careful planning and coordination with the hospice team.
Including Your Bedbound Parent Your Thanksgiving Celebrations
When a parent is receiving hospice care, and especially when they are bed-bound, celebrating Thanksgiving requires thoughtful adaptation – but it doesn't mean the holiday can't be special and meaningful. With some creative planning, you can bring the warmth and joy of Thanksgiving to your loved one's bedside, creating precious memories for the whole family.
Seasonal Depression in Hospice Patients
As autumn's shorter days and longer nights settle in, many family caregivers may notice changes in their loved one's emotional well-being. While it's natural for hospice patients to experience periods of sadness, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can add an additional layer of complexity to their emotional health. As an adult child caring for a parent in hospice, understanding this seasonal pattern can help you provide more effective and compassionate support during the darker months.
Beyond the Medical: Holistic Approaches for Home Hospice Care
When caring for a parent in home hospice, it's natural to focus on their medical needs. And while this is critical, it is also helpful to remember that hospice is focused on giving the patient the best end-of-life experience possible, and we believe that this means more than just making sure they are receiving the right medical care.
Doc and Jacques Interview on KCIW Brookings
Listen in on this exciting interview of Jamie Daugherty, our CEO, on the Doc and Jacques show on KCIW Brookings. You’ll learn about some of Coastal’s history, how Jamie got started in hospice management, and hear how she plans to keep Coastal growing and thriving for many years to come.
5 Practical Tips for Taking Care of Your Parent in Home Hospice
Caring for a parent in home hospice is a journey filled with love, challenges, and profound moments. As adult children taking on this important role, you're navigating unfamiliar territory while providing comfort and support to your loved one. To help you along this path, here are five practical tips that can make your caregiving experience more manageable and meaningful.
Taking Care of Your Parent in Home Hospice
Caring for a loved one in hospice is a profound and meaningful journey, one that requires a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and compassion. As adult children taking on the role of caregivers for your parents in home hospice, you're embarking on a challenging yet deeply rewarding experience.
10 Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Caregiver for Your Parent in Hospice
When your parent enters home hospice care, finding the right caregiver becomes a top priority. Some people can take on the role of caregiver for their parents, but for many others, they need to hire a caregiver either on a part-time or full-time basis.
Celebrating Life: Planning Meaningful Events During Hospice Care
When a loved one enters hospice care, it's natural for the focus to shift towards medical needs and comfort. However, this time can also be an opportunity to celebrate life, create joyful memories, and honor your loved one's journey. Planning meaningful events and gatherings during hospice care can bring moments of happiness, connection, and closure for both the patient and their family.
Interview on KFUG Crescent City
Our CEO, Jamie Daugherty, was recetly interviewed by Jacques on KFUG in Crescent City. They talk about our company’s history and Jamie shares stories and the history of hospice around the world.
Explaining Hospice to Children: Age-Appropriate Conversations and Support
When a family member enters hospice care, it affects everyone in the family, including the youngest members. As a caregiver, you might find yourself wondering how to explain this situation to children. It's a delicate task, but with the right approach, you can help children understand and cope with what's happening. This guide will help you navigate these challenging conversations with compassion and clarity.
Hobbies for Hospice Patients
When facing the challenges of a terminal illness, finding ways to stay engaged and maintain a sense of purpose can significantly improve a patient's quality of life. For bed-bound hospice patients, pursuing hobbies can provide comfort, stimulation, and a welcome distraction from discomfort or anxiety. They can also offer a sense of independence and personal identity.
Incontinence Supplies for Hospice Patients
As we provide compassionate care for our loved ones in hospice, we often encounter challenges that require both sensitivity and practical solutions. One such challenge is incontinence, a common issue for many hospice patients due to various factors including medication side effects, reduced mobility, or the progression of their condition.
The Importance of Spiritual Care in Home Hospice: Supporting Patients' Beliefs and Values
When we think about hospice care, we often focus on physical comfort and medical support. However, at Coastal Home Health and Hospice, we understand that true end-of-life care encompasses much more than just the physical. It's about caring for the whole person, including their spiritual needs. This is where our dedicated Spiritual Care Coordinator plays a crucial role in ensuring our patients find peace, meaning, and fulfillment in their final days, regardless of their faith background or belief system.
The Comfort of Furry Friends: Pets in Home Hospice Care
One of the most significant advantages of home hospice care is that it allows patients to remain in their own environment, surrounded by the people and things they love - including their pets. The presence of a familiar animal can have a profoundly positive impact on a patient's emotional well-being. Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance, providing comfort without judgment or expectation. They can be a source of joy, bringing smiles and laughter even on difficult days.
What’s The Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care?
When facing serious illness, you might hear the terms "hospice care" and "palliative care" used frequently, sometimes interchangeably. While these two types of care share some common ground, they also have distinct differences. Let's explore both to help you understand which might be the right choice for you or your loved one.
Avoiding Burnout for Family Caregivers
As a family caregiver for a loved one in home hospice, you're performing one of the most challenging and important roles of your life. Your days are filled with compassion, love, and dedication, but they can also be overwhelming and exhausting. It's crucial to remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish—it's necessary. Let's explore some effective self-care strategies to help you avoid burnout and maintain your well-being during this demanding time.
Is Home Hospice Better Than Hospice in a Facility?
When facing end-of-life care decisions, many families struggle with choosing between home hospice and facility-based hospice care. Both options have strengths and challenges, and there are many factors that play into determining what the right choice is for you and your family.
AI: The Future of Home Health and Home Hospice?
Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across various sectors, and healthcare is no exception. As the demand for home health and hospice care continues to rise, AI offers innovative solutions to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and support healthcare providers. Over the next few decades, AI will completely reshape home health and hospice care, promising a future of more efficient, personalized, and compassionate care for those who need it most.