Cultural Competency in Hospice Care

Death is an uncomfortable topic to discuss. After all, no one wants to consider a time when they are no longer around or think about continuing on with life without their parents, siblings, spouse or children. Yet failing to have conversations about end of life planning can leave your loved ones wondering what your wishes Read More

Ten percent of the population in Los Angeles are senior citizens. People are drawn to this area because of the sunny weather and vibrant lifestyle. As they continue to age, remaining connected to their village and in neighborhoods that they are familiar with becomes even more important, and that is why many choose to remain Read More

“We sustain ourselves with the love of family.” – Maya Angelou There is no time when this quote is truer than when a loved one is facing a life limiting illness. A strong and loving family can make navigating choices a little easier and help the patient to truly make every moment count and enjoy Read More

Pain is a primary reason why many seniors seeks medical attention. In fact, the National Institute of Health states it’s a more common condition than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Whether pain is a chronic condition in and of itself or the result of a recent surgery, opioids are often prescribed to help seniors Read More

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is debilitating for both the patient and their family members. There are so many questions. Even with the advancements more recently made in medicine, all of the answers aren’t readily available. This makes it important but also sometimes complicated to plan and consider treatment options. Adding to this stress Read More

Strokes are life-changing in several ways. Having a stroke changes you physically, and it can even permanently limit your ability to live independently. There are also emotional consequences as you consider a long recovery and face the challenges of having to accept or even embrace new adaptations to remain safe and comfortable at home. If Read More

The value of quality care cannot be overstated when the end of life is near. This is the time to shift goals away from making curative attempts and toward providing comfort, peace and a sense of purpose for the patient and their family. A patient feels empowered when they have the ability to play a Read More

2019 will soon be upon us. For many of us, that means planning resolutions. They might include losing 10 pounds, finally changing jobs or saving for that family vacation. While all these resolutions are worthy, this is also a great time to reflect on the things that are most important. What does a person reflect Read More

A common fear when entering hospice is that taking advantage of this service will mean having to stop all medications. Patients and family members alike often express concern that their loved one will be forced to discontinue the use of even maintenance medications, which can bring harm and cause the patient to feel less comfortable. Read More

Palliative care is a relatively young field in medicine. While it is connected to hospice care, the two do have distinct differences. Hospice care is appropriate during the last six months of life, while palliative care is appropriate much sooner. With hospice care, curative approaches stop, and the focus shifts to pain management, comfort and Read More

A person with Alzheimer’s can easily lose hope. As the illness progresses, they lose their ability to make decisions for themselves. This opens up the need to both give up control and put a lot of trust in others. While there is no questioning the daunting nature of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there are steps that Read More

The spiritual support that hospice care provides reminds patients and family members of the importance of remaining mindful. Being mindful is about more than just having a general awareness of your current situation. It is about living in the present moment, purposefully paying attention and making a concerted effort to remain non-judgmental. While it often Read More