29 03, 2023

Palliative Care for Cancer Patients at Home: Everything You Need to Know

Robert Laethem2023-04-14T13:57:00-04:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care, Types of Care|

Cancer is a devastating disease that can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones. The diagnosis of cancer often brings with it a lot of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is difficult to manage how to cope with a terminal diagnosis. Patients with cancer often experience a variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms that can greatly affect their quality of life. Palliative care is an approach that can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. In this article, we will discuss the different aspects of palliative care for cancer patients at home and answer some of the most common questions related to this topic. At what stage of cancer is palliative care needed? Palliative care can be provided at any stage of cancer, regardless of the stage or prognosis. It is not just for patients who are at the end of their lives, but also for those who are undergoing treatment and experiencing symptoms. Palliative care can help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue, as well as provide emotional support and assistance with decision-making. How long are cancer patients in palliative care? The length of time that cancer patients receive palliative care can vary greatly depending on their individual needs and circumstances. Some patients may receive palliative care Read More

15 02, 2023

Palliative Performance Scale: Determining Hospice Care Eligibility

Robert Laethem2023-03-29T12:29:25-04:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care|

The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) is a helpful measurement for monitoring the improvement or decline of the health of patients and loved ones who are suffering from chronic conditions or terminal diseases. This scale helps determine when an advanced level of care may be needed and when changes or modifications need to be made in care planning. In this article, we’re going to look at what exactly the Palliative Performance Scale is, and how it helps families make tough decisions such as when it is a good time to pursue hospice care. What Is the Palliative Performance Scale? In 1996, the Victoria Hospice Society developed the PPS to measure the condition of patients receiving palliative care and estimate their survival time and care needs. Palliative care refers to specialized medical treatment for patients with chronic or terminal diseases. Measuring patients’ status allows healthcare professionals to categorize them and decide the best treatment route. The PPS is an 11-point scale that contains five categories relating to a patient’s overall condition. These categories include: Ambulation - Assessment of patient mobility Activity and Extent of disease - Assessment of evidence of disease progression Self-Care - Assessment of self-care assistance needed Intake - Assessment of eating habits Conscious Level - Assessment of alertness and cognitive ability Based on the assessments Read More

28 12, 2022

What is Palliative Care and When Should It Be Offered?

Robert Laethem2022-12-28T17:16:05-05:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care|

What is Palliative Care? Palliative care is a type of specialized medical care that is focused on relieving the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering of those with life-limiting illnesses. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family by relieving symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care also provides emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family during this difficult time. While palliative care can start at any point during an illness, it’s important to know when it might be beneficial for someone to receive this type of care. The Benefits of Palliative Care The most obvious benefit of palliative care is that it helps relieve physical symptoms such as pain and discomfort. However, it also provides emotional support for both the patient and their family by providing them with a sense of comfort in knowing they are being taken care of with compassion by experienced professionals. Additionally, palliative care can help extend life expectancy, allowing patients more quality time with family members while managing physical symptoms so they can focus on enjoying each other’s company as much as possible. When is it Time to Start Thinking About Palliative Care? There isn’t necessarily Read More

15 12, 2022

Do I Or My Loved One Qualify For Hospice Care?

Robert Laethem2022-12-15T17:13:12-05:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care|

As people are diagnosed with a terminal illness, many resort to the best hospice care in Michigan to improve the quality of life in their last days. Hospices focus on the individual rather than the sickness, making them feel comfortable. They can also help you address the spiritual and emotional issues you might be facing. Hospice services can be given to you where you want; whether in your own home, a hospital, or an assisted living facility. However, you must meet certain requirements to become eligible for hospice care. Below, we have discussed a few aspects that will help determine if you or your loved one may qualify for hospice services in Michigan. How does one qualify for hospice care? You should know the two main qualifications for hospice care: At least two physicians must certify that you have a terminal illness and cannot survive for more than six months if the disease takes its normal course. Some illnesses that fall under this category include dementia, stroke, liver disease, cancer, AIDS, heart failure, and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The patient or their family must be aware of the situation and transition to the best hospice in Michigan instead of focusing on active curative treatment. Eligibility requirements Medicare has similar requirements as stated above. You will Read More

7 12, 2022

What To Do When You or a Loved One Receives a Terminal Diagnosis?

Robert Laethem2022-12-15T17:01:48-05:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care|

Diagnosis of a terminal illness brings about a lot of changes in our lives and priorities. There are new challenges to fight and concerns to address. Overall, it can be heartbreaking to know about your or your loved one’s terminal illness. You may feel lost with no idea what to do or how to manage the situation. Worry not, as a few things can help make the blow somewhat softer. Below, we have listed four things to do when you or a loved one receives a terminal diagnosis. Empower yourself through knowledge: We tend to fear the unknown; it’s a common theme among humans. Therefore, empowering yourself by learning about the illness and its effects on you and your family will help you get a leg up on the diagnosis. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about the illness and how it will affect you in the coming days, weeks, or months. Please note these changes can be physical, mental, and emotional. You can also educate yourself about your illness through resources available online or at a local library. Ideally, you should also learn about end-of-life symptoms to treat them and improve the quality of your life for the remaining time. Forgive yourself in advance: Accept that there is no right way to deal with Read More

1 12, 2022

4 Ways Comfort Care Can Benefit Your Loved One

Robert Laethem2022-12-07T18:34:31-05:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care, Types of Care|

Life can be a rollercoaster ride—full of surprises and shocks, and you experience various ups and downs. Unfortunate events such as a diagnosis of a terminal illness, when the treatments stop producing any improvement and the symptoms intensify over time, can be heartbreaking. The patient and their loved ones start realizing that there is not much time left, and they prioritize comfort over treatment. Therefore, they resort to hospice or comfort care to improve the patient's quality of life for the remaining time. Below, we have discussed comfort care and listed the top five ways it can benefit your loved one! What is comfort care? Comfort care can hold a different meaning for someone diagnosed with a terminal illness. For instance, they may stop undergoing the treatment due to its potential side effects, or they may want to be in the presence of their loved ones as they try to deal with the fact that the end of life is approaching them. For most people, comfort care means being surrounded by comfort and love. How can comfort care benefit your loved one? Comfort care can benefit your loved one in the following ways: It gives great value to their final days or weeks: It is challenging to decide to transition your loved one to comfort care. Read More

8 08, 2022

How Do I Select the Best Hospice Care Near Me?

Robert Laethem2022-10-04T06:00:13-04:00Categories: Health, Hospice Care|

Making the decision to seek hospice care for yourself or your loved one is not easy. You and your family deserve support during this highly emotional season. Cardinal Hospice has cultivated a patient-first culture, putting your needs above all else. You can trust us to help you make informed decisions so that your focus can be where it belongs - your family. It can be difficult to know which hospice provider is the best fit for you and your loved ones. The first step is to research hospice providers in your area. You can ask your doctor for recommendations, or you can search online. Once you have a list of potential providers, you can start to narrow down your options. At Cardinal Hospice, we welcome conversations to discuss the needs of you and your family. We recognize the importance of selecting the hospice care that will be the best fit and we believe that each one of our families have unique needs and deserve our best effort to design the most helpful care plan. This starts with getting to know you and being available to answer questions, not just about our company but about the industry, the hospice care process, and what to expect in the near future. One important factor to consider is the quality Read More

3 05, 2022

11 End Of Life Signs: What to expect?

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:06:56-04:00Categories: Health, News|

It’s never easy to think about your or your loved one’s death, but the reality is that everyone reaches this stage at some point in their life. While we all go through a different journey, there are some common end of life signs that may indicate when we are nearing death. As much as you might not want to think of the dying process, knowing what to expect as death approaches can help you prepare ahead and make necessary arrangements. It also allows you to maximize the time you have left and spend more time with your family, friends, and loved ones. With that, here’s a guide containing more information on what to expect at the end of life. Whether you intend to prepare yourself for this inevitability or plan to arrange hospice care for your loved ones, you can continue reading below to understand the signs and stages of death and dying. End of Life Signs Decreasing Appetite and Thirst As a person’s body starts to shut down, it stops seeking the nourishment and energy that it normally gets from food. As such, you’ll notice a dramatic decrease in appetite, with patients refusing food and water. While this is understandably upsetting, it’s important not to push someone to eat or drink when they are dying, Read More

22 02, 2022

3 Questions to Ask Yourself: Is it Time for Hospice?

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:08:32-04:00Categories: Adults, Health, Hospice Care, News|

One of the most challenging seasons in life is caring for aging and ill family members. It is difficult to watch your loved ones suffer from symptoms of terminal illnesses, such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease. Feelings of helplessness and fear can take over thoughts clouding your judgment and adding to the stress of trying to juggle their needs and the demands of our busy lives. The heartbreaking truth is that it is only a matter of time before your loved ones' needs may become unmanageable without additional support or professional care, as their illness progresses. Instead of focusing on the overwhelm, it’s time to allow our caring staff to support your family’s needs. This will allow you to focus on the most important things, time together and comfort. We understand the stress brought on by making medical decisions, providing care and trying to navigate increased medical visits takes a toll on caregivers, that is why we will work to tailor a care plan you need that surrounds the whole family. Here are three questions that can help you determine when’s the right time for hospice. Does your loved one have life-limiting conditions? Hospice care is the best choice of care option for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and who have been determined to Read More

22 02, 2022

5 Common Hospice Diagnosis

Robert Laethem2022-07-27T09:09:12-04:00Categories: Adults, Health, Hospice Care, News|

It is an unfortunate misconception that hospice care is only for those expected to die in a few weeks or a “place” for the dying and hopeless people with terminal illnesses. Hospice care is in fact meant to serve those who are suffering from a terminal illness, yes, but was developed to provide care and support to sustain quality of life. When a terminally ill patient and their loved ones embrace hospice care for what it really is一a health plan that focuses on improving one’s quality of life, it becomes an option that centers on caring instead of curing which allows the family to spend their energy and attention on what matters. In fact, statistics suggest that roughly 53.8% of Medicare beneficiaries chose and received hospice services as part of their plan of care. That was a 4% increase in hospice patients compared to the previous year. It is a testament to the benefits that come with partnering your car with a hospice team. Families should never make assumptions that their loved one won’t qualify. Speaking to our experienced specialists will help you determine the qualifications and next steps. This is how Cardinal Hospice helps take the pressure off of your family, we help every step of the way. Additionally, more and more people with different Read More