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Grief. It’s a small word with a big effect. At worst it is crippling. At best it is nagging. And holidays seem to magnify the heartache that follows grief, regardless of when the loss took place. For some, pushing through the holidays and honoring time old traditions can be the perfect way to memorialize a loved one. But for others, creating and celebrating new traditions or skipping the holiday festivities altogether might be easier to bare. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve during the holidays. Even two people who experienced the same loss will grieve differently. Many factors, such as the relationship to the deceased; the surviving individual’s belief and spirituality; past experiences with loss; and the survivor’s willingness and ability to express their grief can impact each survivor differently. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate or not celebrate the holidays, the following steps can help you feel more prepared to handle your grief:
  1. Acknowledge that the holidays will be different.
  2. Acknowledge that the holidays will be tough.
  3. Communicate your holiday plans with family and friends so that they will know what to expect.
  4. Recognize that even family and friends within your own grief circle may have different plans for how they wish to spend the holidays. Seek to find common ground, establish your plan should the holidays become too much for either party, or choose to celebrate separately if their plans conflict with your level of comfort.
  5. Seek help from a friend that you trust who can be there for you without offering advice or trying to “fix” your grief.
  6. Say “yes” to help if you need the support.
Our wish for you this holiday season, and always, is that you can find joy amid sorrow as you remember your loved one.By: Wilma Peterson, RN According to the American Lung Association, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Living with the symptoms of COPD, such as difficulty in breathing, can induce stress for both the patient and the family. Due to this, Doctors are beginning to call for earlier hospice referrals for these patients with COPD. If elected early, the benefit of hospice care can assist with symptom management, prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, and help patients achieve a better quality of life. Patients with advanced COPD are eligible for hospice care, which is fully covered by Medicare, some private insurances, as well as assistance from Veterans Affairs. When hospice care is chosen early, patients have access to the appropriate care and medications, allowing for more restful periods and easier breathing. Identifying these factors early can relieve symptoms such as anxiety, panic, labored breathing, and intractable coughing that are uncontrolled with regular medications and traditional therapies. Factors to consider when discussing the appropriateness of a hospice referral for a COPD patient include:
  1. The patient has a projected life expectancy of 6 months or less
  2. All therapies, including medications and rehabilitation, have been exhausted
  3. The patient has frequent emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to exacerbation of COPD
At this point, the patient is considered to be in the advanced stages of COPD, and the discussion for hospice and end-of-life care should begin.

Eight benefits of early hospice referral for those with COPD

Electing the hospice benefit early allows for the expertise of a focused team of professionals: Hospice services are available 24/7/365. The hospice care team will provide medical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to the patient and family. Here are eight benefits of early hospice referral:
  1. Early intervention. The earlier the hospice referral is made, the more time it allows the patient and their family to select the right hospice company and be a part of the care plan.
  2. Managed care. A physician leads the hospice care team and can order the appropriate medications and therapies and cater to an individualized care plan for each patient.
  3. Skilled Nurses. A registered nurse will meet with the patient and family, and can admit the same day. The nurse will also reconcile all medications, put together a plan that focuses on managing symptoms, and provide relief of pain and respiratory distress.
  4. Hospice Aides. Health aides assist with normal daily activities:
  1. Medical Social Worker. A social worker will support patients and families with accessing resources within the community, such as respite care, living arrangement and other services.
  2. Chaplain. Clergy works with the patient and their family to support psychological and spiritual needs, assisting them through the end-of-life, grieving process or any other related needs.
  3. Ancillary services. Other ancillary services like physical therapy and occupational therapy, strengthen muscles to assist with safety and allow for a sense of independence.
  4. Respite Care. Allows time for self-care and rest, which can help with a change in attitude and mindset in caring for your loved one.

Living easier with hospice care

Early hospice referrals means early management of symptoms by: Don’t wait, make the referral to hospice early. An early hospice referral can provide extra support for both the caregiver and the patient. If you or a loved one is struggling with COPD, consider the benefit of hospice services.

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