Lewis and Clark had nothing on today’s healthcare consumer. The labyrinth that is the modern U.S. healthcare system can be every bit as challenging and impenetrable as the early wilderness the intrepid explorers traversed.
While figures vary geographically, the average cost of a funeral in the United States is now close to $11,000. This includes services at the funeral home, burial in a cemetery, and the installation of a headstone. These costs can create added shock and financial hardship for grieving families at an already emotionally difficult time. Burial insurance is a type of life insurance designed to help cover these costs.
When we ask families why they’re calling us, we often hear it’s because a doctor told them there was nothing left to do. Too often, we hear this when their loved one has just days left to live. Even more often, we hear that families didn’t realize their loved one could have taken advantage of hospice services earlier.
I see our social work role as a resource for individuals. Coming into a situation where somebody is at end of life, I see our responsibility to make sure that all their needs are being met.
Edema is the abnormal buildup of fluid in the body. Congestive heart failure, cancer, and liver, kidney, or thyroid disease can cause this fluid to build-up in the lungs, stomach, or extremities. Certain medications or eating a diet high in salt can also cause edema or exasperate the condition. Proper edema management can help to control this condition.
