Hospice Nurse’s Role

A Hospice Nurse’s Role in Different Healthcare Settings

In honor of National Nurses Week, May 6^th-12^th, addressing roles of nurses in hospice care can help others understand how hospice care will benefit end-of-life patients in their home-like setting: the personal home, long term care facility, assisted living community, hospital, or in-patient residence. Nurses play an integral role in caring for the hospice patients including visiting patients for an initial assessment, planning care visits, determining medication and equipment needs, and working with patients and families on their goals of care. No matter what setting best meets the needs of patients and families, hospice nurses collaborate with the caregivers or healthcare facility’s employees to ensure their pain and symptoms are controlled during their end-of-life journey for a more peaceful experience. 

Personal Home: In the private home, the family is the primary caregiver. Nurses provide intermittent care with scheduled visits determined in the goals of care meeting from an inter-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, and volunteers. The nurse can update the family on what to expect in the coming months or days; how to respond to physical or emotional changes; educate them on medication and equipment needs; and order equipment as needed to ensure the comfort of the patient.

Long Term Care Facility: Hospice nurses collaborate with nursing facility employees to offer added support to their team. The visits are scheduled much like in the private home. The primary caregiver, however, is usually the long term care facility employee due to a higher level of care needed for a patient. Nurses communicate with the facility employees to ensure, in addition to the excellent care they get from the facility employees, the specialized care received from hospice nurse is supporting both the patients and the facility.

Assisted Living: Hospice care is an extension of the care already provided by the Assisted Living Community. Hospice nurses assist with changes in condition, family dynamics, and impending death with regularly scheduled visits determined by the goals of care meeting.

Hospital: In order to receive hospice care in the hospital, also known as general in-patient services, patients need to meet specific criteria as determined by a physician. During the stay in the hospital, a hospice nurse would work with the hospital staff to control symptoms to ensure patient comfort.

Hospice Home or In-Patient Residence: Normally, the hospice nurse goes to the patient in their home-like setting. There are also hospice homes or in-patient residences that provide 24-hour care for patients who have a need for a higher level of care to allow the family to remain family and not a caregiver­­. These homes are unique. While many may prefer to live their final days in the comfort of their own home, for many reasons, this may not be possible or practical. A hospice home offers that home-like setting with the specialized nursing care that is best for the needs and wishes of the patient at the end-of-life.

Hospice of Southern Illinois is your community not-for-profit hospice serving 27 southern Illinois counties since 1981. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. On behalf of Hospice of Southern Illinois, we want to thank all the nurses who dedicate so much time and compassion to their patients.

What does compassionate care mean?

"Compassion" is a word that is used commonly to describe hospice care. But what does compassion really mean? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “compassion is a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.” Hospice care provides just that. With a mission “to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness," compassion defines the mission of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Compassion is the person who visits a family in crisis at 2 a.m. Compassion is a person who stays an extra hour to calm a worried child. Compassion is holding someone’s hand when no one else is there. Hospice of Southern Illinois wants to help our patients and families. Here are some examples describing how Hospice of Southern Illinois provides compassionate care:

·         Patients and families are our number one priority. We have special programs, like the We Honor Veterans partnership, to extend to patients and families to give them a personalized hospice experience catered to their needs and wishes.

·         Physicians work together to make sure patients’ wishes are carried out.

·         Nurses take time to educate patients and families about giving medications, how to care for a patient in their home, and what to expect in the future, which can relieve patients’ pain and reduce some families’ fear.

·         Social Workers/Counselors prepare patients and families for the stress and emotions that are in the journey ahead. They lend a listening ear to concerns and feelings at any stage of the end-of-life journey.

·         Bereavement counselors, in addition to routine follow-up after the loved one's death, reconnect with families on special occasions and holidays, because those times can be especially hard for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

·         Volunteers offer companionship and can allow for caregiver relief so the family can function as a unit and stay united during a difficult time.

·         Support staff works hard to make sure patients and families get the care they are entitled to regardless of age or ability to pay through education, community involvement, fundraising, and supporting daily operations.

Compassionate care is a team effort that takes passionate, dedicated and warm people. These people work together to provide the best end of life care possible, so no one goes through the dying process alone.

There comes a time... for compassionate care.  

Learn about Hospice of Southern Illinois, getting hospice services, and having your questions answered. Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 800-233-1708 or visit our website for more information, www. hospice.org.

(Reference: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion) 

Three Things You Thought You Knew About Hospice

Three Things You Thought You Knew About Hospice

Hospice is often and unfortunately misrepresented to the general public. Often seen as the people who “come at the very end” or when someone is “giving up”, hospice is very much the opposite.

1.       Did you know hospice services can be utilized for up to 6 months?

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s NHPCO’s Facts and Figures on Hospice, “The median length of service in 2012 was 18.7 days. This means that half of hospice patients received care for less than three weeks. The average length of service increased from 69.1 days in 2011 to 71.8 in 2012.” These statistics tell us that a large percentage of patients are not receiving the full benefits of hospice care. Although we are seeing a slight increase in the average length of service, why don’t we see more people utilizing the hospice benefit longer? Some could be attributed to disease criteria, acceptance, or access to care. If patients, however, had 6 months to fully reflect and experience their end-of-life journey, maybe more people would have the opportunity to die their way: with dignity and grace.

2.       Choosing quality of life does not mean giving up.

When people elect their hospice benefit, it definitely doesn’t mean they are “giving up”. It can be hard for family to see that.  Their mind says, “Treatment means fighting for life”. Consider weighing the pain, suffering, and symptoms that may be associated with treatment. Choosing to forego curative treatments could alleviate certain stressors, symptoms and expenses. This is different than giving up. This is simply choosing quality of life, which take tremendous courage. Celebrate that decision and celebrate the time there is left with loved ones, while feeling as good as possible.

3.       Dying can be peaceful and graceful.

Death is very sad to accept and discuss. It is, however, unavoidable that we will all die. It is difficult to accept and reflect on this time and plan for a peaceful and graceful journey. Further, it is definitely not easy to understand how dying can be peaceful and graceful, but it is possible. Hospice of Southern Illinois can make it easier to understand, especially the longer the service is utilized. Nurses and hospice aides can address the physical/medical needs of patients; the counseling team can address emotional and spiritual wishes of the patient and family; and volunteers can provide companionship and relief of caregiving to let the family focus on being a family during the important time that is left. All members of the team are instrumental in assisting the patient and their family to honor the goals of care until the end of their journey. When the goals of care are honored, dying then becomes more peaceful and graceful.

Source: http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Statistics_Research/2013_Facts_Figures.pdf

Not all Hospices are the same. Ask for Hospice of Southern Illinois by name. 

Learn about Hospice of Southern Illinois, getting hospice services, and having your questions answered. Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 800-233-1708 or visit our website for more information, www. hospice.org. 

Intake Nurses Improve Customer Service

     Hospice is a special healthcare option for patients and families who are faced with a terminal illness. A multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers works together to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient and family. The hospice team provides care to patients in their own home or a home-like setting regardless of the patient’s age or ability to pay. There are many things to consider when making a decision about hospice, including how you were treated when you called for the first time.
     Hospice of Southern Illinois focuses on patient and family-centered care and we want to make sure the transition into hospice care is a smooth one. No one has to die alone. One way we are working hard to make sure that with your first contact, whether it’s a question about hospice care or a loved one who needs hospice care, we have consistency, compassion, efficiency, effectiveness, and experience. To ensure this happens, we have hired intake nurses. The intake nurse has a responsibility to:
         
- Consistently be a point of contact for people who make a referral

- Coordinate our team and transition individuals smoothly into hospice care

- Show compassion and be friendly

- Use their hospice expertise to assist healthcare professionals and community members with the best plan for the patient’s individual needs

     This new position has proved successful and has improved our customer service. You can always be at ease calling Hospice of Southern Illinois because you know we are committed to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and grief experience, starting with the initial phone call!

{Meet Bobbie from the Belleville location and Debbie from the Marion location}

Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

June is PTSD Awareness Month - WHV Level III Status Achieved

June is PTSD Awareness Month

            Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to announce our Level III Partner Status in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the NHPCO, VA, and community hospices.

            As part of our commitment to the We Honor Veterans program, we are helping raise awareness about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because June is PTSD Awareness Month. Our involvement, like many other hospices, ensures Veterans are getting the care they are entitled to and deserve. In addition to the healthcare benefits we offer to all patients, our interdisciplinary hospice team of physician, nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, CNAs, and volunteers has special training to address the unique and specific physical, social, and emotional needs of Veteran patients and families, which can include PTSD.

            PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and can occur immediately following a traumatic event, or even rise up years later (in the case of a hospice patient, during their final months or days). Our mission is to enhance the quality of life at the end-of-life, so it is our goal to relieve PTSD stress and help them cope with their experiences so they can leave this world free of emotional pain. Below are steps to raising awareness about PTSD in order to identify, relate, and reach out.

10 Steps to Raise PTSD Awareness

1.   Know more about PTSD.
Understand common reactions to trauma and when those reactions might be PTSD.

2.   Challenge your beliefs about treatment.
PTSD treatment can help. We now have effective PTSD treatments that can make a difference in the lives of people with PTSD.

3.   Explore the options for those with PTSD.
Find out where to get help for PTSD and learn how to choose a therapist. Also see our Self-Help and Coping section to learn about peer support and other coping strategies.

4.   Reach out. Make a difference.
You can help a family member with PTSD, including assisting your Veteran who needs care. Know there is support for friends and family too.

5.   Know the facts.
More than half of US adults will experience at least one trauma in their lifetime. How common is PTSD? For Veterans and people who have been through violence and abuse, the number is higher.

6.   Expand your understanding.
Learn about assessment and how to find out if someone has PTSD. Complete a brief checklist or take an online screen to see if a professional evaluation is needed. June 20th is National PTSD Screening Day.

7.   Share PTSD information.
Share handouts, brochures, or wallet cards about trauma and PTSD.

8.   Meet people who have lived with PTSD.
Visit AboutFace, an online gallery dedicated to Veterans talking about how PTSD treatment turned their lives around.

9.   Take advantage of technology.
Download PTSD Coach mobile app and treatment companion apps in the National Center for PTSD's growing collection of mobile offerings.

10.        Keep informed.
Get the latest information about PTSD. Sign up for our PTSD Monthly Update, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Resource is provided by: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/steps_raise_awareness.asp

     Please contact Hospice of Southern Illinois to speak with one of our special trained staff members about Veteran specific hospice care or PTSD, or visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov. We will be happy to take the time to get your questions answered. Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

 



National Nurses Week Is Coming!

It is National Nurses Week May 6^th – May 12^th, help Hospice of Southern Illinois and a variety of other healthcare organizations celebrate the work of the nurses in our communities. Our nurses care for patients and families who are going through a difficult time in their life. They deserve a week designated to recognize their ability to provide outstanding, compassionate care, celebrate their will to go above and beyond, and appreciate the sacrifices they make for their patients and families they serve. Everyone works side by side with nurses every day not only in hospice, but in clinics, schools, hospitals, and more! If a nurse has touched your life in some way, take this designated week to thank them.

In 2013, the American Nursing Association noted the National Nurses Week theme as providing quality and innovation in patient care. “Hospice of Southern Illinois nurses represents the 2013 theme as much as any nursing team could. They not only provide the best care possible, they provide care as an art form and with compassion. Innovation brings our team to a new level. They are always working on new projects, researching new products, and exploring the cutting edge options for end-of-life care. I think so highly of them, I would call them to take care of my own family when that time comes. I think when you recommend your own to take care of your own, it speaks volumes!” says Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator.

The history of National Nurses Week dates back to 1953. Each year May 6^th begins the celebration through the 12^th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nursing takes a dedicated person with a passion for helping others. They advocate for their patients and passing healthcare regulations, they are leaders in the workplace and community managing the lives of others and taking initiative to make patients and families comfortable, and set the bar for providing compassionate care!

To learn more about National Nurses Week visit www.nursingworld.org. To learn more about Hospice of Southern Illinois or to apply for open nursing positions, visit https://www.hospice.org/how-can-i-support/careers/. Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to be your community, not-for-profit hospice serving 27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. If you have any questions call 1-800-233-1708 or visit www.hospice.org. 

Spirituality

Spirituality

Spirituality is someone’s source of inspiration or orientation in life; this can involve discovering one’s deeper values as well as the meaning by which people live; it can include being connected to a larger reality or being concerned with yielding to a wider understanding of self or joining with other individuals, the human community, nature, or the divine realm.

Spirituality exists whenever we struggle with the issues of how our lives fit into the greater scheme of things. This is especially true when our questions don’t give way to specific answers or give rise to specific practices such as prayer or meditation.

Questions to be considered in dealing with one’s spirituality:

1-What gives you meaning and purpose?

2-What nourishes you; what replenishes you as you give, share, or create?

3-What is your personal understanding (or your patient’s understanding) of simple truths like      trust, suffering, grace, prayer, connections, and success (what does it look like?)

4-What do you choose to do for fun?  What are some new options, some new resources that can offer grace to our clients? 

5-What brings Hope? What takes your hope away? What does it mean to have enough hope for the journey?

6-How do we call forth courage in others?  How do we validate the gifts, the strengths, and the limits (which the world would name as weaknesses?)

We encounter spiritual issues every time we wonder where the universe comes from, why we are here, or what happens when we die. We also become spiritual when we are moved by values such as beauty, love, or creativity that seem to reveal a meaning or power beyond our visible world.

What are spiritual practices that are associated with one’s spirituality?

  Mindfulness: (awareness of what is happening in the present moment) as well as meditation can be helpful resources. 

Prayer: (that is, connecting to one’s higher power) can be done verbally, silently, or contemplatively.  Use of a favorite scripture or quote or word (mantra) can be used as a starting point for prayer. 

Music: can be used to encourage meditation & reflection as well as the use of comfort measure such as a rosary, worry bead, or small stone can be kept in one’s pocket or hand.

An idea or practice is spiritual when it reveals our personal desire to establish a felt-relationship with the deepest meanings or powers governing life. Love or compassion is often described as the mainstay of spiritual development. (Wikipedia definition of Spirituality)

Final thoughts: Sometimes we need to chart a new course; Change is inevitable; Develop a new awareness of all that is going on around us as well as available resources can smooth the transition.

Based on a presentation given by Cathy from our Bereavement Team. 

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org

When to Call Hospice of Southern Illinois

Patients and families can be exhausted emotionally and physically throughout their end of life journey. Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help ease the stress associated with terminal illnesses. Feeling hesitant or confused about when to call hospice while utilizing hospice services is completely normal and expected. There are many times we have found that patients and families are unsure when to call, so we have provided a list of the most appropriate times to give us a call; furthermore, if you are unsure whether to call hospice versus the doctor, hospital, ambulance or anyone else, call us first. We can then recommend the next step from there.

Please Call Hospice of Southern Illinois Immediately (800-233-1708):

• any change in patient’s condition
• changes or need for changes in medications
•  if the patient has a fall
• changes in spiritual needs
• patient/family concerns
• at time of death
• changes of medical equipment needs

        We have nurses and counseling services available on-call 24/7/365 to assist you and your loved ones with any questions you may have regarding hospice or a loved one’s end-of-life care. If your request is not urgent, our website www.hospice.org is full of valuable resources and information to assist you.

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

www.hospice.org