Myths about
Hospice
Hospice
Hospice helps the dying individual by speeding up the dying process.
False: Hospice providers do NOT speed up the dying process. Some studies suggest hospice actually extends life.
Hospice tries to maximize patient quality of life
_____ is whatever the person says it is. Knowing the cause of this symptom can help find the best way to treat it.
Ways to manage this symptom include: medications, distraction, hot or cold presses, or massage.
Pain
A person in the community who has chosen to maintain the hospice spirit by giving their time, energy, and interest in being a helpful companion to the patients and families suffering from a terminal illness
A Hospice Volunteer
Denial
Who founded St Christopher's Hospice in 1967 as the first hospice; linking expert pain and symptom control, compassionate care, teaching and clinical research
Dame Cicely Saunders
Hospice is only available to elderly people.
False: Hospice is available to anyone with a terminal diagnosis and prognosis of 6 months or less.
_______ can be described as feeling afraid, nervous, worried, irritable, or unable to sleep.
Ways to manage this symptom include: Providing a calm, dimly lit, quiet place to relax, distracting, medication, and emotional support.
Anxiety
Hospice Volunteers will have an understanding and be supportive of the philosophy of hospice care in the areas of: _______ comfort, _______ comfort, and _______ comfort.
Physical, emotional, spiritual
Acceptance
Who wrote the book On Death and Dying, which identified the five stages of grief?
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Hospice provides direct patient care for 12 or more hours each day.
False: Hospice patients generally receive a few visits each week.
However, the frequency and duration of visits may vary depending on the patient's condition, resources and staff availability
__________ can be described as not being able to rest, focus, or concentrate. It can also be exhibited by the patient constantly moving or trying to get out of bed. Almost half of all people experience this type of symptom in the last 48 hours of life.
Restlessness or Agitation
Volunteers should not provide medical advice or perform medical procedures. This is described as working within your ______ ___ _______
Scope of Practice
This stage of grief is described as frustration, irritability, and anxiety
Anger
What is the Hospice Philosophy?
The hospice philosophy accepts death as the final stage of life. It affirms life, but does not try to hasten or postpone death.
Hospice is expensive. Families are expected to pay out of pocket for Hospice services.
False: Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans
_______ can be described as extreme exhaustion, increased sleeping, no desire to eat, and not doing usual activities.
Ways to manage this symptom is: planning time to rest and energy conservation
Fatigue
This includes not discussing patient details with anyone outside of the hospice team or disclosing any patient information on social media.
Personal and medical information is considered ___________.
Confidential
This stage of grief is described as feeling overwhelmed or helpless
Depression
Caring for the whole person, not just the disease
Addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs
Focusing on patient & family
Providing the best possible quality of life for whatever time remains
Only a doctor can make a referral to hospice services
False: Family members, friends, doctors, or the patient themselves can refer to hospice.
______ & ______ can be caused by a number of reasons including: starting a new pain medication, an infection, anxiety, or disease progression.
Ways to manage this symptom include: avoiding heavy meals, not forcing someone to eat, and avoiding excessive activity or lying down after meals.
Nausea & Vomiting
All patients have a right to privacy and all staff, including volunteers, must respect this right and comply with Green Hills Community, Universal Home Health and Hospice and the federal law, which insures this right.
What is the name of this Privacy Act?
HIPAA (it means Zippa your Lippa!)
This stage of grief is described as struggling to find meaning, reaching out to others, telling one's story.
Bargaining
The Core values for Hospice staff and volunteers
Hospice should be grounded in exceptional service, compassion, dignity, excellence, respect for patient and family choice, teamwork and integrity