April is Stress Awareness Month
Monday March 31, 2008
On my list of stressful things:
Washing five loads of laundry
Picking up the carpool in time
Feeding my family of six
Balancing family and work
What's on your list?
Having a life-limiting illness?
Getting affairs in ... Read More
Adopt a Nursing Home to Improve Dying Experience
Sunday March 30, 2008
Did you know that nearly 90% of America's nursing homes are severely understaffed?
Did you know that roughly 30% of nursing home residents are malnourished because nobody takes the time to ... Read More
Is Hospice Too Restrictive?
Saturday March 29, 2008
Short answer: Yes.
The intentions of the Medicare Hospice Benefit were all good; providing comprehensive end-of-life care to dying patients and their families covered under the federal Medicare system. ... Read More
Deciding Where to Die
Thursday March 27, 2008
Choosing where to spend the final days of life isn't always pleasant or easy. Would you prefer a hospital with it's advanced technology and plentiful staff? How about ... Read More
Good Friday, Bad Death
Thursday March 20, 2008
Tomorrow is Good Friday; a day we remember a bad death. I'm not sure what their idea of palliative care was back then but I'm sure it wasn't offered ... Read More
"Go Into the Light"
Tuesday March 18, 2008
We've all heard the stories of near death experiences and death bed visions; a light at the end of the tunnel, a deceased family member appearing at the bedside, etc. ... Read More
"Not Our Problem": A Good Death Gone Wrong
Monday March 17, 2008
It still surprises me that with all the safeguards our country has put into place to make sure patients have access to a good death that there can be such ... Read More
The Grim Reaper
Thursday March 13, 2008
I admitted a patient into our hospice program last night at the urgent request of her daughter. The patient was 97 years old and dying from a gradual decline ... Read More
Pancreatic Cancer in the Spotlight
Wednesday March 12, 2008
Pancreatic Cancer is enjoying the spotlight since the announcement that Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with it. I recently got hooked on the details of another case of pancreatic cancer, ... Read More
Palliative Care for Patrick Swayze? Swayze Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer
Thursday March 6, 2008
It has just been announced that Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - one of the most deadly forms of the disease - and is undergoing treatment. Published ... Read More
Patient Safety Awareness Week!
Tuesday March 4, 2008
March 2-8, 2008 is Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW). The message this year: Patient Safety-A Road Taken Together. I think that pallliative care and hospice are two ... Read More