Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is always looking for caring individuals who want to share their time and talents making a difference in the lives of terminally ill patients in their community. Individuals interested in learning how to become a hospice volunteer should read on to learn more about how they can serve and what the application process entails.
Family caregivers play an essential role in the care of their loved ones. The work of caring for a loved one is rewarding, but also overwhelming as caregivers juggle hands-on care with keeping on top of appointments, medication, and financial documents. Taking the time to get organized can help make all of this a little easier.
A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is a legal document signed by a patient and their healthcare provider. The DNR order tells other healthcare providers and emergency responders to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart goes into cardiac arrest or you stop breathing.
Good fences make good neighbors – and personal boundaries allow you to set limits and create a healthy space between you and others. Creating and maintaining healthy personal boundaries is always a good practice, but it is even more essential when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Setting grief boundaries will help you navigate this difficult and emotional time.
Despite the many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, there may come a time when the risks and side effects of treatment will outweigh the benefits. At this time, a patient with late-stage lung cancer may decide with their doctor to stop treatment and pursue comfort care, focused on quality of life. Hospice can help support this goal.
Regardless of how fulfilling caregiving can be, it is also stressful and emotional work. It is easy to get so caught up in the daily tasks of caring for a loved one that you forget to care for yourself. One way to reduce caregiver stress is to start a caregiver journal.
