Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Hospice Helps Cardiac Patients

February marks Hearth Month. Hospice of Southern Illinois is advocating for February’s Heart Month to kick off a new initiative to serve our heart patients and their families better now and in the future. This initiative is being led by our Physician Medical Director, Dr. Lynne Nowak, who is available to our nursing and counseling teams 24 hours a day to ensure the best hospice care in the area. Please feel free to learn more about how hospice helps cardiac patients to improve quality of life at the end of life by reviewing the flyer below or calling to speak with someone from our hospice team at 1-800-233-1708.  


 Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,
Christine Juehne
Hospice of Southern Illinois
Community Education
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

When to Call Hospice of Southern Illinois

Patients and families can be exhausted emotionally and physically throughout their end of life journey. Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help ease the stress associated with terminal illnesses. Feeling hesitant or confused about when to call hospice while utilizing hospice services is completely normal and expected. There are many times we have found that patients and families are unsure when to call, so we have provided a list of the most appropriate times to give us a call; furthermore, if you are unsure whether to call hospice versus the doctor, hospital, ambulance or anyone else, call us first. We can then recommend the next step from there.

Please Call Hospice of Southern Illinois Immediately (800-233-1708):

  • any change in patient’s condition
  • changes or need for changes in medications
  •  if the patient has a fall
  • changes in spiritual needs
  • patient/family concerns
  • at time of death
  • changes of medical equipment needs
        We have nurses and counseling services available on-call 24/7/365 to assist you and your loved ones with any questions you may have regarding hospice or a loved one’s end-of-life care. If your request is not urgent, our website www.hospice.org is full of valuable resources and information to assist you.
Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,
Christine Juehne
Hospice of Southern Illinois
Community Education
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Myths About Hospice

          Hospice of Southern Illinois wants to wish you a Happy New Year! Will you dive into any superstitions of the New Year like kissing at midnight to ensure ties, eating black-eyed peas for luck and financial freedom, or stocking up the cupboards to guarantee food in the belly all year long? I may not be very superstitious. I think, however, I will partake in these three New Year traditions in hopes they lead me to have a successful 2013.
          The New Year is a wonderful time because people often seek out new opportunities like taking on a healthier life style, finally taking the risk of starting the hobby they always wished they had time for or taking a class to get educated. While on the topic of discussing how one event leads to the cause of another and getting educated, let’s discuss some hospice superstitions and misconceptions. It is common for individuals to hear the word “hospice” and immediately think that by calling hospice it means a loved one is giving up or life will be prolonged or shortened. These are only two of many false superstitions associated with hospice. Other misconceptions include what hospice really does, whom hospice serves and to pay for hospice services. Hospice services provide numerous benefits for patients and their families. Furthermore, hospice can and should lead you to lots of words including some happy ones like comfort, love and respect because our care offers that to individuals and their families who receive our service. Below I have listed a few superstitions and misconceptions, with responses, I often hear during my speaking presentations with community groups.


What does hospice really do?
Hospice of Southern Illinois provides specialized hospice services (patient care, including symptom management, emotional support, spiritual support and psychosocial intervention), addressing issues most important to the patient’s needs and wants at the end of their life focusing on improving the individual’s quality of life.

When should hospice be called?
Hospice should be called at any time the patient has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. It is appropriate to discuss all of the patient’s care options, including hospice. Patients are eligible for hospice care when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less. At that time comfort care and symptom management become the primary focus, and curative treatment is no longer the patient’s choice or option.

Does hospice do anything to bring death sooner?
No. Our goal is always to alleviate suffering and manage symptoms. Hospice does nothing to speed up or slow down the dying process. Our role is to lend support and allow the disease process to unfold as comfortable as possible.

Myth: Hospice care is only for cancer patients.
Truth: Hospice care is for patients with a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less including but not limited to: Alzheimer’s, cardiac disease, ALS, stroke, liver disease.

Myth: Hospice is just for the elderly.
Truth: Hospice is for all age groups during their final stages of life, including children and adults of all age groups.

Myth: Hospice is just for the patient.
Truth: Meeting the needs of the patient and family is a top priority. The family unit is at the center of all decision making. Hospice recognizes that it takes many caregivers to meet the unique needs of each patient.

Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Truth: Hospice care is a benefit under Medicare Part A, Illinois Medicaid and most private insurers. Hospice of Southern Illinois provides services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. 

For more myths, frequently asked questions and other resources about benefits of receiving hospice services at the end-of-life, I encourage you to continue to read on our website and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website.


Remember the New Year is all about a new you! Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,
Christine Juehne
Hospice of Southern Illinois
Community Education
1-800-233-1708
www.hospice.org