Death and Dying Hospice Care Assignmnet

Gail-Anne · May 31, 2005

A couple of simple things that family won't necessarily ask about or staff think to tell them (in non-hospice settings- hospice is more familiar with this)--- that wet rattle in the throat is common and doesn't need suctioning. In most cases, suctioning is uncomfortable and can just make it worse as it stimulates more fluid. Also, people are often cold to the touch predeath, family often is bothered by this and try to put on more covers and don't understand that their loved one may be hot inside (staying alive is lots of work!), if the person gets restless with extra covers try taking them off.

MFlash · May 31, 2005

My experience with Hospice has been on the receiving end. Both my father and my sister were taken care of by Hospice. My advice is to talk softly and directly to the patient and the family. Use lots of eye contact and touch the patient if the illness doesn't dictate otherwise. We had the experience of Hospice asking us if we had any questions. The problem was we didn't know what to ask. Offer a phone number to be reached if questions come up after you've left. You might consider stopping by a Hospice facility and picking up one of their brochures.

Good luck with your paper.

This is an assisgnment for Nursing. That's due on Thursday. How do you deal with a dying patient? What the some of techinques that would help a person and their family deal with this transition from hospital to hospice? What makes a person decide to be a hospice care provider? Also what would say to a nursing student if they are considering hospice as a profession? Is theres a place to get current stats on type terminal ill patient such as cancer, heart failure, HIV.? Any stories that one could share?[/quote']