We want to educate our patients and family members to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Shorter Days and Dementia: Fighting Late-Day Confusion

One of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is late-day confusion. Often called “sundowning,” this phenomenon usually worsens as the days get shorter. If someone you care for has dementia, you may notice them getting more confused and agitated in late afternoon and evening. As the days get shorter, late-day confusion … Read more

Visiting Hospice Patients: Top 5 Questions Answered

If you know someone in hospice care, you may have concerns about visiting. Will you disturb them? Will you make them feel worse? Will they be able to enjoy your visit? These are all valid questions, and their answers may depend on specific circumstances. However, there is one question that has a very clear answer. … Read more

Giving is Living–7 Ways Helping Others Helps You

“It is more blessed to give than receive” is one of the most repeated Biblical quotes in our language. This is most likely due to the fact that so many people have recognized it’s powerful truth. Even people who don’t necessarily believe the Bible have experienced the blessing of giving to and serving others. Science … Read more

5 Steps to Prepare for End-of-Life Care

The Day That Changes Everything. No one is prepared for it, ever. It’s the day that changes everything. It turns your emotions, your outlook, your whole life completely upside down. It’s the day you or a loved one get a terminal diagnosis. Nothing can prepare you for the news that your life will most likely not … Read more

What Jesus Said About Happiness Part 2

What Jesus Said About Happiness Part 2 Last month we began a series on happiness with a special approach. We’re looking at the sermon on the mount, and specifically the beatitudes. The beatitudes are several statements Jesus made in which He clearly defines what true happiness looks like. In most translations of the Bible, each beatitude … Read more

Happiness Part 3: 5 (More) Mood-boosting Activities

Focus on happiness Over the last few months, our first blog of each month has focused on happiness. Studies show that happy people have fewer aches and pains. Happy people have better relationships. Happy people are healthier and live longer in general. What many people might fail to recognize is that a terminal diagnosis does … Read more

3 Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Caregivers are heroes If you’re a caregiver for a hospice patient, Alzheimer’s patient, or anyone with long-term needs, you are a true hero. You sacrifice in ways many others do not understand. Yes, it’s rewarding, but it can also be very taxing emotionally as well as physically. It’s important to watch for signs of burnout. … Read more

Your Grief is Unique

Grief is a part of life. One of the primary tenets of hospice care is to value death as a natural part of life. In the same way that we acknowledge the beginning of life, we acknowledge and respect its end. And a part of that acknowledgment is grief. Everyone experiences griefing, just as everyone … Read more

Happiness Part 2: 3 Systems to Sustain Happiness

Starting With Happiness Last month we started a series on happiness. We’ll do this at the beginning of each month for a while. Why? Hospice and Palliative care patients, understandably, often suffer from temporary or clinical depression. Families and friends often do not know how to help. So we’re starting each month spending time looking … Read more

5 Activities to Boost Your Happiness

What is happiness? Most of us have an idea. You might say feeling satisfied with your life. I might say feeling loved. Scientists describe it as a general sense of well-being. I think most of us would agree with that.   What doesn’t make us happy? Though it’s relatively easy to say what happiness is, … Read more