I chose to read into the Hospice Care policy statement because I am at Homestead Hospice and wanted to see if something I was familiar with. I believe it is important to be aware of what is happening in hospice setting since I am interning there. As policies are changing from time to time it is great to know where the policies for hospice care started and what if any provisions were made. As future social worker, I need to be aware of what goes on in hospice setting because I might have a future job there and I will need to know how to advocate for my clients. With that being said I agree with all policy statements I read in “NASW Social Work Speaks” on Hospice care. I really like that they noticed that hospice care needed attention in the
When music was still new and developing, it was something that you could just dance along to, not worrying about the lyrics or the meaning of a musical piece. Today there are concept albums like The Antler’s Hospice, with a whole story behind it.
As we get older and delve into the real world, it is important to start thinking about end-of-life care and advance directives. Although it is something no one wants to imagine, there is an absolute necessity for living wills and a power of attorney. Learning about the Patient Self-Determination Act and the different legal basis in where you live is important because it will help people understand why advance care directives are so important. Although there are several barriers in implementing advance care directives, there are also several actions that healthcare professionals can take to overcome these obstacles. These are also important to know about, especially for someone going into the medical field.
Hospice professionals and caregivers have given the issue of physician-assisted suicide much thought and consideration in recent years, and adopted an organizational position on the issue as early as February of 1992. Last year, when the debate increased in intensity, the HO not only reaffirmed its earlier position, but strengthened it. The Organization's Resolution clearly states, "That assisted suicide is not a component of hospice care; ..." and "That the Hospice Organization does not support the legalization of voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide in the care of the terminally ill."
The hospice aide’s job duties varies depending on the patient. If the hospice patient is in good condition, the job duties are very similar to that of the nursing home CNA. The hospice aide’s main goal is to maintain the patient’s dignity while providing the most comforting care possible. Many hospice patients are referring to as being on “comfort cares” – meaning if they don’t want to eat, they aren’t forced to. The hospice aide’s job is a hard one, as any CNA’s is, but perhaps more so, as they lose their patients at a higher
Introduction The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast two different nursing research articles. The report will critique and evaluate two qualitative studies, one being an original research report and the second being a review paper. The scope of comparison and contrast will include research design, theories or conceptual models, how the research was conducted, analysis and reporting of research data, usefulness of the research, and a conclusion. Selection of Research Interest Area
Hospice focuses on end of life care. When patients are facing terminal illness and have an expected life sentence of days to six months or less of life. Care can take place in different milieu including at home, hospice care center, hospital, and skilled nursing facility. Hospice provides patients and family the tool and resources of how to come to the acceptance of death. The goal of care is to help people who are dying have peace, comfort, and dignity. A team of health care providers and volunteers are responsible for providing care. A primary care doctor and a hospice doctor or medical director will patients care. The patient is allowed to decide who their primary doctor will be while receiving hospice care. It may be a primary care physician or a hospice physician. Nurses provide care at home by vising patient at home or in a hospital setting facility. Nurses are responsible for coordination of the hospice care team. Home health aides provide support for daily and routine care ( dressing, bathing, eating and etc). Spiritual counselors, Chaplains, priests, lay ministers or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family. Social workers provide counseling and support. They can also provide referrals to other support systems. Pharmacists provide medication oversight and suggestions regarding the most effective
Apart from physicians, nursing professionals act as patient advocate in supporting end-of- life decisions as they spend maximum time with patients than any other member of the healthcare team. In many health care settings, the nurse has the responsibility of asking the patient about advance directives. Since each state identifies different laws regarding advance directives, it is important that nurses be aware of the rules of these documents for the purpose of accuracy and compliance. The nurses are required to document any conversations about advance directives in the patient's medical record and keep it timely and updated. Nurses can play vital role in resolving conflicts arising from moral and ethical issues related to advance care planning
Dealing with death on a regular basis can take a toll on a person. Being a hospice nurse will never be easy and is certainly not for the faint of heart. A hospice nurse watches patient’s health decline, often times very rapidly, and many times sit by the patient’s side as they pass away. It can be exhausting both emotionally and physically. You need to have a big heart and a strong will to help those in need for the occupation. Sara Schmidt certainly never saw herself in the profession, but discovered that she has a true love for helping people.
Wessel, EM, and DN Rutledge. "Home Care and Hospice Nurses' Attitudes toward Death and Caring for the Dying: Effects of Palliative Care Education." Journal Of Hospice & Palliative Nursing 7.4 (2005). 212-218. CINAHL. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
One of the greatest dangers facing chronic and terminally ill patients is the grey area regarding PAS. In the Netherlands, there are strict criteria for the practice of PAS. Despite such stringencies, the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (1992) found 28% of the PAS cases in the Netherlands did not meet the criteria. The evidence suggests some of the patient’s lives may have ended prematurely or involuntarily. This problem can be addressed via advance directives. These directives would be written by competent individuals explaining their decision to be aided in dying when they are no longer capable of making medical decisions. These interpretations are largely defined by ones morals, understanding of ethics, individual attitudes, religious and cultural values.
Since ancient time, “dying with dignity” has had a different cultural context amongst humans. Some individuals have imagined and prepared their dying moments at an early age: In dependence of religious, political and /or society background. Dignity is defined as a sense of self-respect, self-worth and nobility. It is one of the highest consensus of autonomy belonging to humankind. Therefore, it is the sense of honor that makes humans stand up for whatever the meaning of freedom represents to them. The feeling of freedom that a person may have when dying could result in some delusional moments as their life is fading away, or is death perhaps the reality that dignifies human life.
The change which is outlined in this paper relates to how early referral of terminally ill patients into a hospice program results in better patient outcomes, in particular, with regard to pain management. PICO format question will be used , along with a supportive body of evidence regarding the fact that early onset into a hospice program is helpful with providing end of life pain control. Hospice programs available, and options associated with them will be discussed as well as common concerns associated with early admission to hospice. The methods used for payment of hospice, and how one qualifies for entrance into a hospice program will be explored. A literature search will be performed and its results detailed within the body of this paper. Recent publications on the subject matter and associated issues such as moral and ethical questions as well as the change question will be discussed. Planning, implementing and evaluation of the change proposed will be explored within this paper.
The care of patients at the end of their live should be as humane and respectful to help them cope with the accompanying prognosis of the end of their lives. The reality of this situation is that all too often, the care a patient receives at the end of their life is quite different and generally not performed well. The healthcare system of the United States does not perform well within the scope of providing the patient with by all means a distress and pain free palliative or hospice care plan. To often patients do not have a specific plan implemented on how they wish to have their end of life care carried out for them. End of life decisions are frequently left to the decision of family member's or physicians who may not know what the patient needs are beforehand or is not acting in the patient's best wishes. This places the unenviable task of choosing care for the patient instead of the patient having a carefully written out plan on how to carry out their final days. A strategy that can improve the rate of care that patients receive and improve the healthcare system in general would be to have the patient create a end of life care plan with their primary care physician one to two years prior to when the physician feels that the patient is near the end of their life. This would put the decision making power on the patient and it would improve the quality of care the patient receives when they are at the end of their life. By developing a specific care plan, the patient would be in control of their wishes on how they would like their care to be handled when the time of death nears. We can identify strengths and weakness with this strategy and implement changes to the strategy to improve the overall system of care with...
Hope meaning the use of regular treatment with the patient’s physician. Comfort meaning the use of medications, relaxation, and happiness. For example, Smith also shows his opinion with stating, “If we really care about death with dignity, we will stop making dying patients choose between hope and comfort when they can easily — and affordably — have both.” Would changing regulations of Hospice Care more likely benefit the patient?Many people suggest that Hospice Care isn’t more beneficial than continuing treatment, due to the fact that it doesn’t stop or help lessen the disease. Denial of diagnostic tests, restrictions on being a part of experimental studies, and encouraging patients not to be hospitalized can be difficult regulations to accept and obey. Denial of diagnostic tests means that even though a physician might strongly suggest a test to be taken for results, Hospice most of the time disapproves because of the cost of the tests. Restrictions on experimental studies means that patients are not allowed to be a part of the experiment because such studies might extend the time left of the patient’s
Palliative care involves the holistic care to maintain and improve the quality of life of the patient and family during hospitalisation until the terminal stage. Palliation of care refers to the multidisciplinary approach of providing comfort and support for the terminally ill patient and family, thus has an important role in maintaining and improving the quality of life of the whole family. Chronic illness such as cancer gives a physiologic and emotional burden for the patient and family. Education and counselling of the possible options as well as treatments for pain and other symptoms that could help alleviate anxiety, suffering and discomfort. Palliative care provides assistance for the family as a channel for communication between the