Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
More awareness needed about hospice benefits » Opinion » The Edmond Sun
OKLA. CITY — Despite the debate about whether or not Medicare should pay for end-of-life conversations between physicians and patients, one thing remains abundantly clear: These discussions must happen if we’re going to respect people’s wishes and provide the quality of care that everyone deserves.
And despite the perception that Americans don’t want to talk about the issue, the facts say otherwise.
Among the quality-of-life options for those facing a terminal illness is hospice. A recent national survey from Crossroads Hospice found that when it comes to their own loved ones, one out of every three consumers and physicians said they would like to start the hospice conversation at the time of diagnosis or the start of treatment. Yet only one out of five physicians actually starts the conversation then.
Being ready to discuss hospice is clearly a very personal matter. Sadly, many physicians and patients wait until all treatment options have been exhausted to even bring up the subject.
It’s no wonder that half of hospice patients today receive care for less than three weeks, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Another reason: 68 percent of consumers and a surprising number of physicians (36 percent) were unaware of the Medicare hospice benefit, according to the new Crossroads survey. It’s a coverage option that has been around for more than two decades and has not changed with the new health-care policy.
The Medicare Hospice Benefit meets the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill, Medicare-eligible patients. It covers 100 percent of many services, including doctor visits, nursing care, medical equipment and supplies, hospice aides, medications, homemaker services, physical and occupational therapists and chaplaincy services. This is not just end-of-life counseling. Hospice care helps the terminally ill live the remainder of their lives with comfort and confidence.
Patients and their families can choose any Medicare-recognized hospice they want. More than 90 percent of hospices in the U.S., including Crossroads Hospice in Oklahoma City, are certified by Medicare. The benefit lasts for as long as the patient is certified as terminally ill by a doctor or hospice medical director.
Another little known fact: Benefits continue after the patient passes away with support services for the family.
There are many resources available to learn more about hospice care. Medicare’s web site, medicare.gov, has comprehensive information on the hospice benefit. To find local, Medicare-recognized hospice organizations, visit nahc.org, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice’s free online resource.
RANDY WHEELER, an Edmond resident, is executive director of Crossroads Hospice’s office in Oklahoma City.
"68 percent of consumers and a surprising number of physicians (36 percent) were unaware of the Medicare hospice benefit" - this excerpt is something known yet in this day and time leaves me speechless. How can we not promote one of the greatest benefits to those facing the end of their lives?
People say it is hard to talk about, but if it's going to happen wouldn't it be better to at least get all the help that is available?
Friday, February 4, 2011
NHPCO Updater: A Message to our Hospice and Palliative Care Commu...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What is Your Celebration?
Celebrations occur at a variety of milestones; birth, graduation, weddings, life remembrances.
Attending the 50th wedding anniversary of my husband's sister and her husband, it was easy to
realize what causes a golden wedding anniversary to be so special. 
Like hospice patients, celebrations in life culminate from the relationships formed during
the years. The people who cry, laugh and support you and place judgment anywhere but
on you remain permanently etched in your heart.
their impressions of how you have added value to their lives through your relationship.
same panel where she will be discussing her book. If you have read this piece, it drastically
defines the hospice nurse as cold hearted. I know that there was a dual lens of perception in this encounter.
The sweetest hospice nurse on earth is still an icon of impending death. I wonder if all that
might change if we treated each hospice patient the same way my family celebrated the
50 golden years of marriage of our loved ones. There was story telling, hugging and laughter,
and lots of "Do you remember when we....?"
I am sure a lot of hospice staff work diligently to make this happen with their patients but
if not, I would ask that we look closely at life celebrations. Let's learn to hug, laugh, and value
more the person with whom we are blessed to be in their presence.
If death is really a part of living, then celebrating can occur anytime along the way. It's up
to us to invite ourselve to the party.
Learn to celebrate the life of hospice patients by becoming a hospice volunteer. Start training now.
Create Your Own Hospice Marketing Blitz Sticker
Happy 90th Birthday Mom
Happy 90th Birthday Mom!
Note- Mom passed away in her home Saturday afternoon…she would have been 90 years old Sunday. (Post was started on the 27th)…she’s missing a HUGE Party!
Happy 90th BIRTHDAY Mama Felicia!
I would like to introduce you to my Mom who was born on January 30, 1921, in the small province of Leyte, Dulag in the Philippines. Her young 18-year old eyes saw the bombing of her home town in World War II and in 1944 she met her future husband a soldier of the The Philippine Scouts, a military organization of the United States Army then later on as a corporal with the US Army. Mom told me with a smile “I wasn’t sure if I could marry your father because he was balding.” She came to the United States as a war-bride traveling on a ship carrying her 6-months old son in 1947. The ship took two weeks to arrive at it’s destination in San Francisco.
Mom was a member of the Ozzie & Harriet generation; staying at home to take
care of her two sons while her husband worked three jobs, loved her soap operas As the World Turns and the Guiding Light. She loved to grow roses in the afternoon and crochet in the evening. She cooked our favorite Filipino dishes chicken adobo and pancit and every night we could hear her scream “Did you do your homework?”
Our parents were BIG Hoop fans of the 50S/60s Boston Celtics and Baseball junkies of the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s. Mom and Dad went to about 30 baseball games every year and even witness a Perfect Game by Catfish Hunter of the Oakland A’s. Our parents introduced us to the local professional wrestling matches in the San Francisco/Oakland area and later watched the Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant pay-for-Tv matches.
In 1964, mom took American Citizen classes and became a United States citizen…she was so proud. She also loved her doggies; Rex, a large doberman pincher, Rocky, a German Shepherd, and her favorite dog a senior citizen Yellow Lab Rusty, who followed her everywhere she went. Mama Felicia also had a pet pigeon …it was so funny to see Mom walk across the street to visit her neighbor and the pigeon would follow her.
Our parents lived the American Dream when they saw their sons graduate from college… and when my brother became a chemist and I became a pro photographer. Mom is also Grandma to my oldest daughter who just graduated from the University of Arizona and my youngest daughter who is attending the University of Oregon. My parent’s hopes and dreams continues…Happy Birthday Mom!
P.S. I will miss you Mom… don’t worry about me I will be OK
6 Responses to “Happy 90th Birthday Mom!”
kay a balsley says:
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom Mine is 71 and she is my best friend I am not looking forward to ever losing her but I remind myself to not be selfish when it is her time to leave this earth It is far better to be with Jesus. It sounds like your Mom lived a full life and a exciting one while she was on this earth It sounds like she had a good family and was well loved what more can we give them while they are with us Take care My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family
Jo says:
“My parent’s hopes and dreams continue”
No truer words spoken. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Be gentle with yourself.
Sharon says:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. We are never ready to let them go. May the memories of her live on in your hearts. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Sounds like your mom had an interesting and full life.
I don’t think she’s missing out on anything though, I bet shes having a party right where she’s at.
My sympathies for you on her passing.
Kathy´s last blog ..Awkward situationG-J says:
Oh, I was so sorry to read about your Mom’s passing. Thank you for sharing the stories of her life with us.
Unit Known as Shandi says:
I’m so sorry, Caregiver Guy. Your mom’s enthusiasm for life and her family shine from her picture. I’m so glad that she was at home, I know what that took on your part to make that possible. I can’t even imagine all the emotions that you are dealing with now. I hope you can get some rest and that this week goes as smoothly as possible.
Leave a Reply
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Dominoes of Caregiving: Those Changes
The Dominoes of Caregiving: Those Changes
Your caree has a change in condition, which causes a change in your caregiving role, which then seems to change your life.
How do you manage the domino effect of caregiving?
This was the topic of this morning’s Table Talk episode on Your Caregiving Journey. Holly, who cares for her husband, Dave, joined us to talk about how she adjusts to their changes because of his diagnosis of Frontotemporal dementia. You can listen to our show via the player below.
I loved our conversation because Holly walked us through the process of her internal changes. When she changed, she learned how to manage the changes. And, most important, when she changed from wishing for a different life to embracing the one she has, she found her peace. She’s no longer toppled by the dominoes. Instead, she steadies them.
During our discussion, Holly spoke about the five activities which bring her back into herself, which help her keep a healthy perspective, which allow her to enjoy her life. I’d love to know, in honor of our weekly Happy Saturday: What are the activities that help you breathe in life? How do you make time for them?
Related Articles
- How Do You Stay Inspired? (caregiving.com)
- Change (caregiving.com)
- Building Your Resilience (caregiving.com)
4 Responses to “The Dominoes of Caregiving: Those Changes”
Bette says:
I really enjoyed today’s show, thank you Denise and Holly.
I love to swim and recently began swimming 3 mornings a week. I have found though, that the evenings work better for me, because it gives me something to look forward to in my day.
I liked Holly’s suggestion of socializing once a week. I use to love to go out with a girlfriend on occasion, but because of our moves and my lack of energy, I have not been doing this.
Tomorrow I am spending some time in Harrisburg by myself shopping, and this afternoon, remembering Holly’s words, decided to call a friend to meet me for lunch. I went to the phone twice before finally putting forth the effort to try and connect.
It is so sad that we can get bogged down in caregiving, and all the extras that our lives entail, to be too tired to make time for ourselves and the things that bring us joy. I continue to remind myself that caregiving can be better, but I can’t expect that to happen on its’ own.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Congratulations Bette on taking your first big step towards living your best life! I love how fast you implemented the message you received this morning. You are already sounding stronger.
Sending you a big Yahoo for empowering yourself to make this happen.
Warmly,
Holly
Holly Eburne´s last blog ..How to Move from Worry to HopefulnessHolly,
Thank you for the encouragement!I am just getting ready to go and my mother (who can’t be left alone anymore–so it takes a bit of planning for me to go–)says to me, “don’t you feel badly that you are leaving your children?”
Taking time for ourselves takes a lot of planning and preparing, I know it is so valuable for caregivers to do, in order to “reenergize” for this long journey, but sometimes it rattles your heart a bit to get there! (:
We almost have to prepare schedule-wise and emotion-wise. Thanks again!
Thank you, Holly, I did not hear the show yet but how you have learned to accept your life/embracing it as it is – inspires me.
Best, Carol
Carebuzz
Carol @ Carebuzz´s last blog ..Senior Care Questions
Leave a Reply
Posts
