CONSOLING A GRIEVING WIDOW OR WIDOWER (PART I)

What Happens When You Call Hospice? Understanding the Hospice Admission ProcessCalling hospice for the first time can feel intimidating.Families often don't know what questions to ask or what happens after they make the call.Understanding the process can make the decision feel much less overwhelming.Step One: Make the CallThe hospice process generally begins with a phone call.You don't have to have all the answers before calling.Doctors Hospice of Idaho explains that referrals and questions can come from physicians, nurses, caregivers, patients, family members, friends, or neighbors. The purpose of the first conversation is to understand the situation and determine what questions need to be answered.Step Two: An Evaluation Takes PlaceAfter a referral, members of the hospice team meet with the patient and family.Doctors Hospice of Idaho explains that a registered nurse and social worker may visit the patient and family to evaluate the situation, explain hospice services, answer questions, and address concerns. The treating physician is also involved in verifying that hospice is appropriate. Step Three: The Family Gets AnswersThis is an important part of the process.Families can ask questions such as:What services does hospice provide?Where can hospice care take place?Who will be part of the hospice team?What happens if symptoms change?How does hospice support caregivers?What does hospice cost?Will insurance cover hospice?There are no "silly" questions when you're making decisions about someone's care.Step Four: A Care Plan Is DevelopedHospice care is individualized.The team works with the patient, family, and physicians to develop a plan that addresses the patient's needs and preferences.Doctors Hospice of Idaho emphasizes patient choice and family involvement in care and decision-making. How Quickly Can Hospice Begin?Families sometimes assume hospice admission takes days or weeks.Doctors Hospice of Idaho states that hospice services can generally begin within approximately four hours after referral when hospice is determined to be appropriate. The organization also describes an urgent admission option for critical situations, with a hospice team member able to respond within approximately two hours after receiving a physician's order. Because individual circumstances vary, families should contact the hospice directly to understand what can be provided in their particular situation.What If We're Already in a Crisis?Don't assume it's too late to call.Doctors Hospice of Idaho specifically emphasizes that hospice remains an option even when a family finds itself in an urgent or unexpected situation. Sometimes hospice involvement begins very close to the end of life.Even then, the hospice team can focus on comfort, symptom management, and supporting the family.Calling Hospice Doesn't Mean You Have to Know EverythingPerhaps the most important thing families should know is that they don't have to navigate the process alone.If you're wondering whether hospice is appropriate, ask questions.A conversation with a hospice professional can help you understand eligibility, services, care options, and what the next steps might look like. Doctors Hospice of Idaho is available to help families understand hospice and make informed decisions.

Hospice Is More Than End-of-Life Care: Supporting Patients and FamiliesWhen people hear the word "hospice," they often immediately think about death.While hospice does provide end-of-life care, that definition doesn't capture the entire purpose of hospice.Hospice is also about livingliving as comfortably, meaningfully, and intentionally as possible during an especially important chapter of life.Hospice Focuses on the Person, Not Just the DiagnosisA serious illness can affect every part of someone's life.Physical symptoms are only one piece of the picture.A patient may also experience: Fear Anxiety Loneliness Spiritual concerns Family stress Financial concerns Changes in independence Difficulty communicating wishes Concerns about unfinished business Doctors Hospice of Idaho describes hospice as a holistic approach that addresses physical, emotional, practical, and spiritual needs. The Hospice TeamOne of the most valuable aspects of hospice is the team approach.At Doctors Hospice of Idaho, patients and families can receive support from an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, volunteers, and bereavement professionals. This allows different professionals to focus on different aspects of care.Hospice Supports Caregivers, TooFamily caregivers often put their own needs aside.They may spend months or even years helping a spouse, parent, or other loved one with medications, meals, transportation, bathing, appointments, and household responsibilities.Eventually, caregiver exhaustion can become significant.Hospice can provide education, support, personal care assistance, social and emotional resources, and respite through appropriate services.This doesn't mean the family is stepping away.It means the family doesn't have to carry the entire responsibility alone.Spiritual and Emotional SupportEnd-of-life experiences can raise profound questions.Patients and families may think about faith, relationships, forgiveness, memories, regrets, legacy, and what comes next.Hospice chaplains can provide spiritual support based on the individual's preferences and beliefs.Social workers can help with emotional and practical concerns.This whole-person approach is an important part of hospice care. Hospice Can Help Families Make MemoriesSometimes families become so focused on managing an illness that they forget to simply be together.Hospice can help shift some of that focus.Instead of every conversation being about medications, appointments, or symptoms, families may have more opportunity to talk, reminisce, laugh, listen to music, look through photographs, or simply spend time together.Those moments can become lasting memories.Hospice Continues Supporting Families After a LossThe relationship doesn't necessarily end when the patient dies.Doctors Hospice of Idaho provides bereavement support for families following a loss, including grief counseling and resources. Its bereavement program maintains contact with families for up to 13 months after the patient's death. Grief is different for everyone.Having compassionate support can help families understand that their emotions are a normal part of the grieving process.Hospice Is About Quality of LifeHospice does not erase the difficulty of a serious illness.But it can help patients and families navigate that difficult time with greater support.At Doctors Hospice of Idaho, the goal is to honor patient choices while providing compassionate care with dignity and respect. Hospice is about caring for the whole personand the people who love them.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is serious but can be treated(RxWiki News) When the temperature and the time change, a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) sets in for many people. But you don't have to wait for the summer to stop feeling SAD.Read on to learn more about SAD and what you can do about it.What Is SAD?Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression. It recurs with a seasonal pattern that typically begins when the fall and winter months set in. By the time the warmer months of spring and summer roll around, symptoms of SAD tend to subside.This disorder tends to affect people who live farther away from the equator and those who have a family or personal history of depression.SAD is not simply the "winter blues." It is a mental health condition that can have serious effects on people who have it.How Do I Know if I Have SAD?If you typically feel depressed when the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, you may have SAD. Here are some SAD symptoms to watch for, according to the Mayo Clinic: Feeling worthless, guilty or hopeless Feeling depressed for most of the day on most days Having trouble concentrating Losing interest in things and activities you once enjoyed Feeling agitated or sluggish Having trouble sleeping Having changes in your weight or appetite Thinking about suicide or death frequently (Seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing this symptom.) If you are having any of the above symptoms, reach out to your health care provider to discuss your condition and possible treatments.What Are the Treatments for SAD?SAD affects countless people around the world every year. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for this disorder.Possible treatments for SAD include the following, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Medications Medications that are used to treat general depression may be used to treat SAD. These include antidepressants like bupropion and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Psychotherapy A type of cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for SAD treatment is sometimes used. This therapy seeks to change and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Light therapy In light therapy, bright artificial light is used in sessions in order to replace the sunlight exposure lost when the winter months set in. Dietary supplements Vitamin D supplementation is sometimes used in SAD treatment, although dietary supplements have not been thoroughly studied as treatments for this condition. Many people with SAD also have low levels of vitamin D, which is produced through exposure to sunlight. Talk to your health care provider about which SAD treatment will work best for you or your loved one.