What is heart failure? Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s need for blood and oxygen. This means the heart cannot keep up with the demands of the body. Over time heart failure can worsen, even with appropriate medical therapy What is […]
In the field of bereavement counseling, one of the most common questions we receive is: “Am I normal? Do others feel this way? Is this normal?” The truth is, grief is deeply personal, and there is no single “normal.” Society often tells us that certain grief reactions are unusual, leading many people to grieve quietly, […]
This is a blog I wish every family entering hospice could read. Families often tell us, “I wish I had known…” or “I wish someone had told me…” when a loved one begins hospice care – and those words stay with me. My goal is to help families and caregivers feel prepared, confident and supported through one of life’s most tender chapters This hospice care guide […]
When someone you love is nearing the end of life, it’s never easy. Knowing when and how to begin hospice care, though, can help ease the transition. If a friend or family member is diagnosed with a serious medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease, the first step is usually to find the most appropriate way of treating that […]
In some ways, Jason Henderson is an average 28-year-old. He loves watching sports, his mother’s homemade southern cooking, God, and his church. In other ways, Jason deals with things a person his age should never have to face. As a child, he was diagnosed with liver disease and suffered various health complications, keeping him homebound […]
Hospice is designed to provide compassionate care for those who are in the end stages of life. In many cases, hospice care plans include complementary therapies, such as art and music therapy. These complementary therapies are exactly what they sound like—complementary to traditional medical care like the medications needed to manage symptoms. Research has found […]
Zoua Vang was just 39 years old when she called Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). She felt at peace knowing she would have support – both for herself and for her family – to make it through their final days together after a lifetime spent battling her debilitating genetic disorder. Zoua was diagnosed […]
When you hear that someone is in hospice, you probably assume that person is very near the end of life. While that’s true in some cases, hospice doesn’t have a definitive time imit. Once someone begins receiving hospice care, that care can continue as long as it’s needed, even if the person surpasses life expectancy. […]
Over the last few decades, advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have made the disease more survivable. With that said, thousands of Americans still die of cancer each year. Hospice care can help when they near the end of life. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 2 million Americans will be […]
As a loved one nears the end of life and hospice services are recommended, you likely have many questions, concerns, and to-dos. Choosing a hospice may be among them. While your family member’s primary care provider or another member of his or her care team may have suggested it’s time to seek hospice care, you […]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 report, there are approximately 16.2 million living American military veterans. As they near the end of life, many of those veterans can benefit from hospice care. Veterans of our country’s armed forces have sacrificed so much in defense of the United States. After their military service, veterans often […]
While it is always difficult to watch as a loved one’s health worsens at the end of life, it can be even more painful when someone you love has dementia. If you’re struggling with the challenges of caring for your loved one or his or her health is rapidly diminishing, hospice for dementia may help. […]
It can be so difficult to watch as your parents or other family members age and their health worsens. As they near the end of life, it becomes even more challenging. When can they benefit from hospice for the elderly? You may think about hospice as a resource for those who have been diagnosed with […]
If medical providers have recommended that your loved one enter hospice, you may have many questions about what that entails. The short answer: It depends on the type of care your friend or family member needs. Hospice care isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a method of providing care for patients nearing the end of life, and it’s […]
What to know about hospice, palliative care, home health & long-term care If you’re helping a parent with an illness, choosing the right type of care can be challenging at times. Learning about the options is a good place to begin. These days, it’s incredibly common for middle-aged adults to be caring for at least […]
If you’ve watched a news program on TV recently, you probably heard them talk about a new medication on the horizon for Alzheimer’s disease. Odds are, they probably also used the word “dementia.” How are the two connected? Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often mentioned almost in the same breath. There’s a good reason for […]
If a medical provider has suggested hospice for you or a loved one, you probably have many questions and maybe a few fears. Hospice encompasses compassionate and comprehensive care for those in the end stages of life. While it offers many families a gentle journey through a person’s last days, it can be confusing and […]
When it comes to “Advance Care Planning” or “Advance Directives for Healthcare” many people may not know what any of it means, or why it would matter to them. When you come to the hospital, you will always be asked if you have an Advance Directive. However, the large majority of adults say “no” because: […]