End of Life Issues
What is Anticipatory Grief?
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- Published on Monday, 22 July 2013 09:00
Grief and bereavement are two words that are often used interchangeably. But grief is actually different than bereavement. Bereavement is the period of sadness that occurs after the death of a loved one. Grief is the emotional response to the loss. One form of grief is called, Anticipatory Grief. It occurs when you know a loss is coming.
What is a Health Care Agent?
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- Published on Wednesday, 05 June 2013 12:29
If you have had a recent illness or surgery or even a visit to your primary care physician,
you have likely been asked if you have a health care agent. While health care
providers across Massachusetts are asking this question more and more, what
they aren't always doing is taking time to explain what that means and why you
should consider advance care planning.
Does Hospice Really Save Medicare Money?
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- Published on Monday, 29 April 2013 22:15
Does Hospice Really Save Medicare Money?
The cutbacks caused by the stalemate in Washington have government program agencies scrambling to find ways to manage their budgets. Medicare is no exception. The end-of-life experts at Fall River Jewish Home thought the current financial climate provided an opportune time to try to separate fact from fiction on hospice and Medicare.
End of Life Care for Alzheimer’s Disease
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- Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 20:31
Alzheimer's disease is one of the only diseases in the U.S. where the number of deaths are increasing instead of decreasing. It has grown to be the 5th leading cause of death in our country. But according to the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, only 10% of the hospice deaths each year are for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Why are those numbers so low? Experts believe it is because physicians struggle with determining when it is time to refer a patient to hospice.
That Dreaded Word: Hospice; The fear families experience when hospice is recommended
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- Published on Friday, 05 April 2013 19:03
For many families, just the word "hospice" can create anxiety. The old myths about this interdisciplinary benefit are still out there. Caregivers in Massachusetts have probably heard them all: their loved one won't be able to receive any medicine; they will be overmedicated and "out of it"; they will die sooner.
What is hospice care?
