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The Pursuit Of A Good Death
Death is Inevitable It is how you go, what you did in the time you had here, and how you are remembered which is important. Death is a significant, normal part of life that all humans will eventually experience. For … Read More
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How To Create Lasting Memories
We often wait for special occasions to snap a photo or video to catch that exact moment for a “perfect” shot. However, a lasting memory doesn’t have to be an event or a special occasion. Sometimes the best memories are … Read More
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Jellybeans
The hardest thing about life isn’t death itself. The hardest thing about life is living alongside death. Side by side we coexist, doing whatever we can to make peace. We work to find comfort and acceptance, which is always easier … Read More
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Rainbow Road – Navigating The Precious Time You Have Left
When my sister and I were younger, my grandparents absolutely loved going to a restaurant called Fresh Choice. We would go often and create an evening full of memories out of it. My grandparents lived close by to my parents’ … Read More
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Some Advice On How to Handle The Loss Of A Loved One
You’re heartbroken? Maybe you’re upset. Or making an effort to understand it all, why did this need to occur? Why at this time? What will life be like now that you’ve lost your loved one? A simple explanation that works … Read More
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Honoring Loved Ones: How to Make a Memory Journal
You’ve lost someone special, and your heart aches with their absence. While the pain may fade over time, your love for them will not. One way to honor their memory and ensure their impact lives on is by creating a … Read More
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The Heart-Wrenching Reality of Caring for Dying Patients
It was another busy day in the intensive care unit, and I was already feeling exhausted before my shift had even begun. But as soon as I walked through the door, I knew I had to put on a brave … Read More
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Activities To Do With A Loved One As They Get Closer To The End
Caring for a loved one near the end of their life can be challenging, especially for your loved one who doesn’t want to feel like a burden. During this delicate period, creating meaningful memories and engaging your loved one in … Read More
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The Cycle of Life, Illness, Suffering, Death, Grieving and Healing
Life, Illness, Suffering, Death, Grieving and Healing is the cycle of life we all have been through. Terminal illness and end-of-life care are heart-breaking realities for many people and their families. It is a difficult journey filled with pain, sadness, … Read More
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Practical Holiday Tips
Holidays can be enjoyable despite the limitations and stress of caring for loved ones. These moments can help build strong memories and give you something to look back at and smile upon. Be Realistic In Setting Your Expectations Take Care … Read More
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Overcoming Grief, A Mourner’s Compass.
Grief can be overwhelming and all-consuming when it comes to the death of a loved one. Whether the loss is expected or not, we’re never sure of how we will cope and it never goes quite as planned. No matter … Read More
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Coping With Caregiver Guilt
How to Cope with Caregiver Guilt: A Compassionate and Informed Guide for Caregivers What is Caregiver guilt? Caring for a loved one is an act of compassion and dedication that often comes with its own set of challenges. Caregivers selflessly … Read More
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Hospice Care: A Chance At Feeling Whole Again
Hospice may sound like an uncomfortable subject to discuss because of the painful matter at hand, which is the thought of losing a loved one. This results it to be often misunderstood, becoming a topic many families and patients avoid … Read More
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Engaging Activities for Dementia Patients: Keeping Loved Ones Active
“Dementia resembles delirium in the same way an ultra-marathon resembles a dash across the street. Same basic components, vastly different scale. If you’ve run delirium’s course once or twice in your life, try to imagine a version that never ends.” … Read More
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Watching from the Sidelines – The Value of Time
The value of time is priceless. It is more precious than any treasure the world may carry because it is something you can never recover once used. Observing the end of one’s life is no easy task. It is taxing … Read More
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Embracing The Journey: Compassionate Guide for Cancer Patients on Hospice Care
Over the years as a nurse, I’ve had the privilege of being part of many patients’ deeply personal journeys. Each person’s story, especially those courageously battling cancer, is their own, filled with memories, hopes, fears, and dreams. From my experiences … Read More
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Bridging Medicine and Humanity: Reflections on Hospice Care
As a young doctor, I was often confronted with the tangible frailty of human life. My medical training had equipped me with the technical knowledge to treat diseases, but nothing prepared me for the profound human experiences that unfolded in … Read More
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Dealing with Uncontrolled Pain
During my tenure, I’ve encountered instances where unconscious patients later recollected the painful procedures they underwent. After regaining consciousness, they share accounts of the painful experiences they underwent because their pain wasn’t managed. Witnessing their tears shed light on a … Read More
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Hospice isn’t about dying any more. It’s about living. Living to your fullest extent in the time God has given you.
No one wants to put their loved one on hospice. Yet, hospice exists to fulfill that void we feel deep down within ourselves we have when caring for a loved one and we feel very alone. More importantly, hospice exists … Read More
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Spending Valuable Time With A Loved One In Decline
If you know someone close to you who is declining, you might be unsure of how to make the most out of the time you have left with them. After all, it’s a precious stage you have with them, and … Read More
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Pet Therapy In Hospice
In times of the deterioration of one’s health, maintaining physical and mental well-being is crucial in sustaining a comfortable lifestyle, especially in hospice. Therapy through pets has proven to bring countless benefits to fulfilling emotional needs, as well as having … Read More
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Handling The Affairs Of Loved Ones After They Die
Losing a spouse, parent or loved one is emotionally taxing and challenging. In addition to dealing with your own grief, you must handle numerous phone calls, mountains of paperwork in addition to your own personal affairs. It can get overwhelming … Read More
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Hospice Nurses: Compassionate Guides through Life’s Final Journey
A hospice is an establishment that focuses on providing the best quality of life and comfort to chronically ill patients. Nurses play a vital role in delivering high-quality care. They work hard to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible … Read More
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Understanding the Compassionate World of Hospice Care: More Than Just End-of-Life Support
Hospice care, often misunderstood, is a specialized form of care aimed at providing comfort and quality of life for individuals at the end of their life’s journey. It’s not just about medical care in the final days but a comprehensive … Read More
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Living Longer, Better, Happier on Hospice
Yes, you heard me. Contrary to popular opinion, patients on hospice who are receiving supportive care, do live longer. They are happier, and they enjoy a better quality of life. How is this possible? After all, hospice is just about … Read More
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Breaking Hard News: Helping Children Understand the Loss of a Loved One in Hospice Care
Grieving the loss of a loved one in hospice care is a tremendously painful experience, especially when you are trying to help a child understand it. In this article, I hope to provide a steady, sympathetic resource to help you … Read More
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Can Someone in a Coma Still Hear? Navigating Caregiving and Conversations in Hospice
A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness that can be brought on by various medical conditions, such as severe brain injuries or certain illnesses. For loved ones and caregivers, it raises many questions, one of which is whether someone … Read More
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What Does Transitioning Mean?
Transitioning is a very specific term in hospice care. It refers to the final stages of a person’s life. It is recognized by trained hospice personnel by the changes in a patient’s body that signal that the patient is likely … Read More
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What Does A Hospice Chaplain Do?
Hospice chaplains are very seasoned professionals who provide spiritual and emotional support to their patients and families during the end-of-life care. There are a variety of services that they can offer to them to provide comfort, such as: attentive listening, … Read More
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Thoughtful Gifts for Hospice Patients: A Guide to Compassionate Giving
When a loved one is receiving hospice care, finding ways to express love, care, and support becomes a priority for many families and friends. However, selecting an appropriate gift for someone in hospice can be challenging. The key is to … Read More
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Yes, Patients Live Longer on Hospice Than Without Hospice Services.
I get asked the same question over and over again. How can you say someone lives on hospice longer? Isn’t hospice to help people die, and don’t they just die within a few days? What most patients and families don’t … Read More
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What Does A Hospice Social Worker Do?
Social Workers are professionals who provide emotional support and guidance to hospice patients and their families. A hospice social worker is a professional who provides support and assistance to individuals and families facing terminal illness or end-of-life care. They play … Read More
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Understanding Home Hospice Care
Hospice care is a specialized type of care designed to provide comfort and support to individuals and their families during the advanced stages of a terminal illness. Home hospice, specifically, is provided in the familiar surroundings of a patient’s own … Read More
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What is Hospice Care?
What is Hospice Care? Hospice care is a specialized form of end-of-life care that concentrates on providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals confronting a terminal illness or condition. A team of healthcare professionals, comprising physicians, nurses, social workers, … Read More
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What Does A Hospice Nurse Do?
A hospice nurse plays a integral role in providing care and support to patients who are in the final stages of a terminal illness or nearing the end of their life. Their primary focus is on providing comfort, pain management, … Read More
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What Happens in the Last 24 Hours Before Death? A Hospice Perspective
The final 24 hours of a person’s life can be a deeply emotional time for both the dying person and their loved ones. At Lenity Light Hospice, we strive to provide compassionate care and support during this delicate period. Understanding … Read More
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10 Disheartening Reasons I Knew My Mother Needed To Start Hospice Care Immediately
10 disheartening reasons I knew my mother needed to start hospice care immediately “I’m sorry. Given your results, without chemo treatments you have less than 6 months to live.” stated the doctor as he lowered his head and slowly backed … Read More
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Difficult Conversation About Death with Loved Ones
Difficult Conversation about Death with Loved Ones Life is a beautiful journey filled with moments of joy, love, and growth. Yet, it is also a journey that ultimately leads us toward the unavoidable destination- Death. While this sensitive topic may … Read More
