Lessons from the seriously ill

Submitted by Scott on Tue, 02/21/2012 - 10:31am

Source: SeriousIllness.org

In casual musings, a long-time hospice nurse blogged her list of common end-of-life regrets. While these are by no means the only ones we've seen, they do ring true for many who are experienced in end-of-life care. Consider using them as inspiration to engage in reflection. What can you do NOW to be sure YOU don't have any of these regrets?

  •     I wish I had lived MY life, not the life others expected of me. Are you honoring your particular life goals and dreams?  If climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro isn't going to happen, are you at least hiking?

How to find a good doctor

Submitted by Scott on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 5:23pm

Source: seriousillness.org

When a family member is having health issues, having a smart doctor on the case is a top priority. But where do you go to start looking?

Contrary to what you might think, you can find a lot of useful and trustworthy information on the Internet. Andrew Schorr, author of The Web-Savvy Patient, makes these specific recommendations:

  • Seek board certification. Doctors who are "board certified" have completed advanced training to excel in a medical specialty. At Certification Matters you can search for information based on your location, the specialty of interest, or a

Choosing healthy ways to cope

Submitted by Scott on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:42pm

It's a new year. A natural time for personal review. Do you have a good self-care plan?

It's common for family caregivers to fall in with not-so-great coping habits. Here's a look at two areas where family caregivers frequently shortchange themselves.

Food. Stressed and on the go, fast food and easy sweets often seem like the only option. We all know that's a recipe for a health disaster! Consider these swift, healthy alternatives:

  • Quick oats with fruit or raisins for breakfast. Or a whole-wheat bagel and cup of yogurt.
  • Single-portion dried soups to grab for lunch.

Does Medicare pay for help at home?

Submitted by Scott on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:29pm

If your relative is homebound but needs to connect periodically with a medically trained specialist, Medicare may pay for visits to the home.

Medicare does NOT pay for help that is nonmedical in nature. For instance, Medicare does not pay for help with cooking or housekeeping, even if the need is because of a medical condition such as Alzheimer's disease.

Medicare DOES pay for medical visits. Home health visits can include:

  • A nurse coming to monitor progress after surgery
  • A physical therapist to assist with strengthening muscles
  • A speech therapist to help with communication after a stroke
  • An

Choosing healthy ways to cope

Submitted by Scott on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 1:14pm

It's a new year. A natural time for personal review. Do you have a good self-care plan?

It's common for family caregivers to fall in with not-so-great coping habits. Here's a look at two areas where family caregivers frequently shortchange themselves.

Food. Stressed and on the go, fast food and easy sweets often seem like the only option. We all know that's a recipe for a health disaster! Consider these swift, healthy alternatives:

  • Quick oats with fruit or raisins for breakfast. Or a whole-wheat bagel and cup of yogurt.
  • Single-portion dried soups to grab for lunch.

Walk the Labyrinth!

Submitted by Scott on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 5:05pm

Walk the Labyrinth!  ...an opportunity for release, reflection, and renewal as you enter a new year!

The labyrinth is for everyone:those who are searchingthose who are grievingthose who want to quiet a busy mindthose who seek new beginningsThe labyrinth is for you.

OpportunitiesLunch & Learn: The history and wisdom of the labyrinthAn informational session that is open to the public. Dessert & drinks provided.Tuesday, January 17: 12:00 – 1:00 pmPlease RSVP by Monday, January 16 by calling (336) 331-1331.Drop-in Labyrinth Walk::This indoor labyrinth is open to all, and no appointment is

Hope and serious illness

Submitted by Scott on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 9:58am

In the context of serious illness, one's greatest fear is that the condition will be fatal. Feelings of hopelessness are common-and a life without hope is grim indeed. The challenge of terminal illness is to learn to live with dying, to find purpose and meaning even in the face of a limited future. Without purpose, you risk the death of emotions while you are still alive. Even if a condition is incurable, it is possible to have hope. It's simply that your definition of hope must change.

With terminal illness, a person's focus shifts from long-term goals to the here and now.

Important Decisions: Financial and Health Care Planning

Submitted by Scott on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:29pm

Death and dying are not topics we talk about easily in our culture. As a general rule, in fact, we avoid them, almost as if to talk about them would bring on a premature demise. As a result, many families are unaware of their loved one's wishes at the end of life and are faced with making difficult decisions. This can lead to family discord and can make a trying situation even harder than it already is.Norene's father, Richard, showed caring and foresight in planning ahead. He thought about what "quality of life" meant to him.

Listening: The other half of the conversation

Submitted by Scott on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 11:10am

Good communication requires both speaking and listening. Oddly enough, if you make a specific effort to listen, it can open doors. Once "heard," the other person may be more willing to hear your point of view.

Deep listening is more difficult than it sounds. It's not passive. It requires concentration. It also takes humility and empathy. Here are some tips:

Consider the setting

  • Schedule your talk at an unhurried time.
  • Turn off the TV, music, and cell phone.
  • Make sure the seating and room temperature are comfortable.

Observe yourself. Are you

  • distracted by physical needs or strong emotions? If

Hospice & Palliative CareCenter Launches New Website and Mobile App!

Submitted by Scott on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 9:48am

PRESS RELEASEFor more information, contact:Ann Gauthreaux, Hospice & Palliative CareCenter – 336-331-1303Scott Dickson, Dickson Interactive, LLC – 336-331-2185

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 12/16/11

Hospice & Palliative CareCenter Launches New Website and Mobile App

Winston-Salem, NC based Hospice & Palliative CareCenter has launched a new website and an accompanying mobile App available on iTunes. “While delivering quality, compassionate care is our number one priority, providing easy access to our services is essential.

Pages

Subscribe to

Information for...