The Final Season

Become a Volunteer with St. Joseph Hospice: Make a Difference Today!Volunteering with St. Joseph Hospice is an opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of individuals and families during some of their most challenging moments. As a hospice volunteer, you will help create an environment of hope, courage, and compassion for patients facing terminal illnesses and their loved ones. By dedicating your time and skills, you can provide invaluable emotional support and companionship that makes a lasting difference.Why Join the St. Joseph Hospice Volunteer Team?Volunteers play a vital role in the mission of St. Joseph Hospice. They enrich the lives of patients by offering comfort, assisting with practical needs, and simply being present. Whether you have a knack for planning activities, offering companionship, or providing administrative assistance, there is a place for you on our team.To ensure our volunteers are well-prepared, we offer a comprehensive Hospice Volunteer Training Program. This training equips you to understand the unique needs of hospice patients and their families, preparing you to bring comfort and a sense of normalcy to their lives.What Can You Do as a Volunteer?St. Joseph Hospice volunteers bring diverse skills to a variety of roles. Depending on your interests and experience, you could engage in: Companionship Visits: Spend time with patients, providing a comforting presence. Activity Planning: Organize recreational activities to brighten patients' days. Office Support: Assist with administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations. Health Fairs and Special Events: Help manage outreach events to promote awareness. Special Projects: Contribute your unique talents to meet the needs of patients and staff. Who Should Apply?We welcome individuals with various backgrounds and experiences. Ideal candidates might have experience in nursing home volunteering, direct-care support, or activity coordination. More importantly, we seek compassionate individuals with a genuine desire to help others.Volunteers must meet a few essential qualifications to ensure theyre ready for this meaningful role: Confidentiality: Respecting patients privacy is critical. Volunteers must commit to maintaining confidentiality and sign an agreement to this effect. Good Health: Assignments are tailored to your physical capabilities to ensure your safety and the well-being of those you support. Transportation: Volunteers must have reliable transportation to and from their assignments. Training Completion: Direct-care volunteers are required to complete the St. Joseph Hospice Volunteer Training Program. Flexibility: Volunteers should be able to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs, including short-notice requests.  Ideal candidates have the following experience:         Nursing home volunteer         Direct-care volunteer         Health fair management         Entertainment and activity planning         Office/administrative assistance         Special projectsHow to Get InvolvedBecoming a hospice volunteer is simple. Visit the St. Joseph Hospice website and fill out a Contact Us form to express your interest. You can also explore our locations page to find a branch nearest to you.Volunteering with St. Joseph Hospice is more than just an act of serviceits a chance to bring light and comfort to those who need it most. Join our dedicated team of volunteers and help make a difference, one moment at a time.Contact St. Joseph Hospice at 251-675-7555 or email humanresources@carpenterhealth.net or more information about the volunteer program.  

What Are the Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure? A diagnosis of congestive heart failure can feel overwhelming. If you or a loved one has recently received this diagnosis, you may have many questions. Learning more about congestive heart failure can help you understand what to expect. It can be especially helpful to understand what the four stages of congestive heart failure are, along with your options for care. Understanding Congestive Heart Failure: An Overview Congestive heart failure, also called simply heart failure or CHF, is a chronic health condition caused by weakened heart muscle. If healthy, your heart squeezes with enough force during each heartbeat to pump enough blood for your body to function normally. In congestive heart failure, blood is not pushed out of the heart with enough force, causing other health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 6 million adults in the United States have congestive heart failure. People who are smokers, have obesity, coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure are all at increased risk for CHF. Congestive heart failure can cause many symptoms that lead to poor quality of life. These symptoms include:  Shortness of breath Swelling of body tissues due to fluid buildup Chronic coughing and/or wheezing Decreased appetite and nausea Fatigue Elevated heart rate Confusion and problems with thinking Sudden weight changes  The Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure ExplainedCongestive heart failure is a progressive disease, meaning it does not go away or reverse course and gradually worsens over time. The American Heart Association has defined four stages of congestive heart failure, beginning with pre-heart heart failure or stage A, through the final or end-stage of heart failure. Stage A: Pre-Heart Failure People diagnosed with Stage A heart failure dont have a problem with their hearts structure but are at risk for developing the later stages of heart failure. Treatment at this stage is focused on preventing new problems. Patients are educated on healthy lifestyle choices that can help prevent coronary artery disease and sometimes may be prescribed medications that reduce their risk for developing heart problems. Stage B: Asymptomatic Heart Failure In Stage B heart failure, the heart has begun to show signs of structural changes. For example, this can be an enlarged left ventricle (a section of the heart), along with a decreased ejection fraction (EF), which measures how much blood the heart pumps. In Stage B there are not any symptoms of heart failure (and there have not been in the past). Treatment at this stage includes preventing symptoms from beginning and treating with medications called beta blockers and ace inhibitors (or angiotensin-receptor blockers) as appropriate to reduce the rate of heart structure changes, as well as lifestyle changes that will prevent worsening of further structural changes in the heart. Treatment may also include surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve replacement if it is determined that a blocked coronary artery or defective heart valve is the cause of structural changes in the heart. Stage C: Symptomatic Heart Failure Stage C heart failure results in symptoms of heart failure, either in the past or currently. Treatment at this stage includes reducing or controlling symptoms and improving quality of life. It can also work to control any other health conditions that can worsen heart failure. Medications that reduce extra fluid in the body and other complications of heart failure may be added. In some cases, implanted devices such as a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator, may be used to support the heart. Stage D: End-Stage Heart Failure During Stage D, or end-stage heart failure, symptoms are uncomfortable and always present, even during rest. Treatment in this stage includes improving quality of life, reducing symptoms, reducing trips to the hospital and making end-of-life goals and plans. For some, a heart transplant may be an option. Early-Stage Heart Failure: Knowing Your Options For those living with Stage C heart failure, day-to-day care can sometimes feel challenging. Hospitalizations may be a worry, and managing stability and quality of life at home requires lifestyle changes, medications and a good plan of care. Home health support for heart failure can help you learn how to monitor symptoms and manage your condition at home, avoiding hospital stays. Home health care can provide: Education about medications and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk factors and help promote clinical stability. Proper diet and nutrition information Techniques for improvements in strength and mobility Daily exercise routines Help to monitor vital signs Monitoring heart failure symptoms Weight monitoring and management Tips on what to do if symptoms worsen  These supports and resources can help improve your quality of life and reduce symptoms during Stage C heart failure. End-Stage Heart Failure: Knowing Your Options Because heart failure is not reversible, end-stage heart failure can escalate the need for decisions about care and end of life if you havent already had these conversations with your loved ones and care team. People living with end-stage heart failure often have symptoms and problems that can lead to hospitalizations and emergencies.Understanding the four stages of heart failure and discussing your long-term goals and wishes in the early stages can help you avoid unwanted and potentially unnecessary treatments. Palliative Care and Heart Failure Palliative care is a helpful option for those living with heart failure. The focus of palliative care is on quality of life, symptom management and setting goals for care so that your wishes are honored, and your treatment matches what you desire.Palliative care can be started at any stage of a diagnosis. As you progress into the later stages of heart failure, you may meet more often with your palliative care team to discuss symptom management and to plan for possible changes to your health and care. The palliative care team can also help you decide when to begin hospice care during Stage D heart failure. Hospice Care: Compassion During the Final Stage During hospice care, people living with heart failure transition from aggressive forms of treatment to comfort-centered, end-of-life care. An interdisciplinary hospice care team helps patients and their families to manage heart failure at home as best as possible. Specialized hospice care for heart failure can further support those in end-stage heart failure, with evidence-based guidelines and best practices to keep patients as comfortable as possible where they most want to be. During end-stage heart failure, hospice care provides: Pain and symptom management Caregiver support Emotional and spiritual support End-of-life planning (also called advance care planning) Bereavement support 24/7 nurse availability for emergencies Psychosocial support Assistance with activities of daily living Respite care  Managing the Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure with Amedisys  If youre not sure where to begin with heart failure care at home, an Amedisys care center near you can help. Whether you enroll in our home health heart failure program, meet with a palliative care team or are considering hospice, contact Amedisys Hospice at 251-343-0989 for more information

When we age, taking care of our health becomes increasingly important. One area that deserves special attention is our vision, particularly the risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected and managed early. For seniors with diabetes, monitoring eye health becomes even more necessary, as diabetes can increase the risk of developing conditions like glaucoma. Being proactive about eye health can make a significant difference in maintaining good vision for years to come.The Link Between Diabetes and GlaucomaDiabetes can cause various health problems, including those affecting the eyes. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Seniors with diabetes are at a higher risk for these eye problems, making it essential to keep a close eye on eye health.How Glaucoma Affects VisionGlaucoma is a progressive disease that affects the optic nerve in the eye. Over time, it can lead to a gradual loss of vision, often starting with peripheral (side) vision. As the condition progresses, it may lead to tunnel vision or even complete blindness if left untreated. Early on, glaucoma may not present any noticeable symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are vital. Signs to watch for include blurred vision, halos around lights, or loss of peripheral vision.Early Warning Signs of Deteriorating Eye HealthRecognizing the early warning signs of glaucoma and other eye conditions is necessary for seniors, especially those managing diabetes. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:Sudden or gradual loss of peripheral visionSeeing halos or rainbows around lightsEye pain or rednessBlurred visionHeadaches or eye discomfortEarly detection allows for better management of the condition, potentially preserving vision.Why You Need Regular Eye ExamsRegular eye exams play a key role in detecting glaucoma early. Eye doctors can perform tests to measure intraocular pressure and examine the optic nerve, helping to identify signs of glaucoma. Seniors should aim to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year or more often if recommended by their doctor. Staying vigilant with eye exams ensures that any changes in vision can be addressed promptly.Tips for Proactively Monitoring Eye Health at HomeIn addition to regular eye exams, there are practical steps seniors can take at home to monitor their eye health. Using good lighting when reading or performing activities can help reduce eye strain. Wearing sunglasses outdoors protects against harmful UV rays that can damage the eyes over time. You need to pay attention to any changes in vision and note them down for discussion with an eye care professional. Some seniors find it helpful to use tools like an Amsler grid to regularly check for vision distortion. Protect Your EyesProactively monitoring your eyes for glaucoma is a necessary part of maintaining overall health, particularly for seniors with diabetes. Understanding the relationship between diabetes and eye health and recognizing early warning signs of conditions like glaucoma can make a big difference. By scheduling regular eye exams and taking steps to monitor vision at home, seniors can protect their eyesight and enjoy their golden years with clarity. If you or a loved one in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, or Longmont need support in managing eye health, reach out to Senior Helpers Greeley 970-373-3858.