Fixit: Hospice is specialized care for dying

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Fixit: Hospice is specialized care for dying

More from Karen Youso

Q What is "hospice"? What does it do and does it cost money?

A Hospice is a specialized form of care for individuals in the last stages of terminal illness. Rooted in the centuries-old tradition of preparing gifts for those embarking on a long journey, hospice care provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for dying individuals and their families. It's appropriate for people of any age or religious faith and with any terminal illness.

Think of hospice as care that:

• emphasizes the quality of life in the remaining days, weeks or months of a person's life.

• focuses on the person, not the disease, and also cares for the family.

• provides relief from the physical, emotional and spiritual pain that often accompanies a terminal illness.

Specially trained professionals and volunteers provide hospice service, often to individuals in their homes. But hospice care is also provided in assisted-living programs, nursing homes and other long-term residences. The needs of the patient and family determine the type and frequency of services.

A hospice team includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, spiritual caregiver and sometimes home health aides, therapists and volunteers. The patient's personal physician can work with the team. However, at the core of the hospice team and the center of all decision-making, is the patient and the family.

In most cases, there is no cost to patients for hospice services. It's paid for by insurance, Medicare, Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

For more information, visit: www.hospicemn.org, or call 651-659-0423, toll-free 1-800-214-9597.

FROM MICHELE FEDDERLY, DIRECTOR, HOSPICE MINNESOTA

No pressure problem

Q We moved into a 60-year-old house and found that the water pressure is lower than we like. What can be done about it?

A The small-diameter pipes (less than 1 inch) of years ago do not meet water needs today. In addition, galvanized or lead pipes in older plumbing can build up deposits over time that further restrict flow.

The solution is to replace the piping with today's standard 1-inch copper piping. That can be expensive, but it's the only real solution. Acid solutions sometimes are used to clear old pipes of sediment, but this method is often unsuccessful and can result in leaks.

Also, check that the water meter hasn't become clogged or that the city isn't working on any water lines in your area.

For those looking at homes, remember to check the water pressure before buying. Turn on taps at the highest and lowest points in the house and see whether there's plenty of pressure. Also, check that the house has copper pipes and are of the appropriate diameter. If not, you'll want to figure the cost of updating the plumbing into your bid.

Minnesota potatoes

Q Where can I buy Minnesota-grown potatoes?

A Try your grocery store. Just because a bag doesn't say "Minnesota grown" doesn't mean the potatoes aren't from Minnesota. Potatoes packaged as "grown in the USA" actually contain Minnesota potatoes, typically from the Red River Valley. Depending when different crops are ready, they can be a mix of Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa potatoes. However, if the bag says Idaho, then you're buying Idaho potatoes.

Minnesota Grocers Association

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