VNA & Hospice

As one might imagine, it takes a special kind of person to be successful and feel fulfilled as a hospice nurse. You’re a nurse because you care about people. You want to relieve their suffering and help them heal. Offering hope is a natural response.

In hospice care, the nurse’s desire to heal is no longer at issue or even part of the job. When a patient has qualified for hospice care, it’s because they’re within the last six months of a terminal illness. Treatment for the purposes of prolonging life stops. Instead of healing, a hospice nurse provides comfort and works to maintain quality of life for the patient.

If you can make that switch in thinking, hospice nursing might be a good option.

Because the end result of every patient interaction is death, it takes a compassionate and courageous individual to thrive in the hospice environment. If you can live in the moment with your patient and help them navigate their physical and emotional responses to their impending death, you stand a good chance of succeeding as a hospice nurse.

In addition to the emotional support you’ll provide for both the patient and their family members, you’ll be following individual plans for each patient’s needs. There will always be the basic medical steps to take, like managing pain, checking blood pressure and other vital signs, and administering medication. Since you’ll be part of a team, clear communication and thorough notes are critical.

Many hospice nurses provide care at the patient’s home, and they are especially important when there appears to be a crisis. Family members might define crisis differently, but generally a crisis is indicated when there is severe pain, respiratory distress, extreme agitation, seizures, or if the patient is in the actual phase of dying. In times of a crisis, the nurse is required to remain in the home until the crisis is past.

Hospice nurses require many of the same skills as nurses in other specializations. They need to be compassionate, sympathetic, patient, and calm under pressure. In addition, they need to be good listeners. Whether they’re listening to the family or the patient, they’ll hear pain, tragedy, fear, and uncertainty in their voices and it’s the nurses job to help them come to terms with the situation.

If you think hospice nursing is for you, consider which of the most common environments would suit you best. 

• In general, hospice patients want to be where they’re most comfortable, and if there is family in the home for support, a hospice nurse will come into the home to provide care.
• Sometimes, a patient is admitted to the hospital for a specific medical difficulty but is then recommended for hospice care. If the hospital has a hospice section, they patient is often moved, especially if the patient lives alone.
• Often older patients that are already in a nursing home are diagnosed and recommended for hospice care. In that case, the hospice nurse visits the facility to tend to however many patients in the nursing home are assigned by the hospice agency.
• More and more there are stand-alone hospice facilities serving those end-of-life patients who can no longer live at home or who require round-the-clock care.

Depending on your lifestyle preference, working at the same hospice facility every day might be an advantage. For others, being on the road and seeing different patients in their homes or nursing homes is more appealing.

In the end, if you’re the type of person who celebrates life and can accept death as part of it, hospice nursing might be for you.

VNA & Hospice is an equal opportunity employer. There are many ways to become a part of our team. Visit our Career Opportunities to find a position that is right for you.

Can a spouse help their significant other go through hospice care?Absolutely. Plenty of research has shown that happily married couples have better health than their unhappy counterparts. This can certainly extend to couples in hospice care as spouses with a strong relationship can better weather the ups and downs of the end of a person’s lifespan.

This blog post will not only discuss research done at the University of Missouri, but it will reveal three reasons why a husband or wife can help their partner going through hospice care.

According to researchers affiliated with the University of Missouri, couples in happy marriages are shown to have better physical and mental health than people who are widowed or divorced.

While the research didn’t study couples in hospice care specifically, it can certainly affect people in this trying stage of their marriage. This is because happy couples who are emotionally stable are much better equipped to handle one half’s terminal illness. 

Obviously, a spouse being placed in hospice care is not a happy occasion for either the couple, their family or friends. The emotions of the patient, their spouse, children and friends are certain to be all over the spectrum. This situation will be hard for even the happiest couples. However, couples who have made an art of staying together through thick times and thin have the mental, physical and emotional equipment needed to weather this period in their lives. Simply put, happy couples are better able to navigate what is sure to be a tricky, confusing, and downright maddening experience.

1. The Importance of Loved OnesAs a hospice patient nears the end of their life, many of them want to spend as much time as possible with their spouse, family and closest friends. Spending time at home with the people who are closest to them can do a lot to soothe patients who are making peace with their lives. Whether your spouse is spending precious moments with their grandchildren, discussing their friends’ latest vacation with them, or talking about the weather with you, it’s important to make this seminal period free of drama but full of meaning and love at the same time.
2. Self ReflectionAll patients in hospice care are going to spend ample time in self reflection. Whether your spouse will want to share this all-important task with you and their loved ones, or do it on their own through journaling or other means, ensure that you do everything you can to let them go through this emotionally fraught experience without guilt or shame.
3. Care in a Loving EnvironmentWhen your spouse is in hospice care, it is often necessary that they will have to receive care from unfamiliar nurses and aides in your home. In this trying time, many hospice patients may get frustrated with having strangers in their home when all they want is to be around the people that they love. Our nurses, aides and physicians are sensitive to the needs of their patients, and they are more than willing to work around the schedule and personal desires of you and your spouse.

   Remember the research that said that happy couples are healthier? Even if your spouse isn’t in robust health, a happy and healthy relationship can make what is often a terrifying, emotional rollercoaster much more palatable to both parties. While the research has proven that happy couples thrive in health, they can also prosper in sickness.

There are plenty of benefits to involving a husband or wife in their partner’s hospice care. From providing love and support every step of the way to allowing their spouse to say their piece in the way they see fit, a spouse can be the person who makes this stage of the hospice patient’s life packed with meaning and love.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

The Zika Virus has been a real concern for those who live in or travel to areas where lots of mosquitoes are present. While it hasn’t been widely spread throughout the United States yet, there are still some important steps to take to protect oneself and their family from contracting the virus. When traveling to countries where the virus is prevalent, one must be extra cautious to avoid infection. It’s also important to understand some basics about the virus and exactly how the it spreads to ensure that proper precautions are taken.

The Zika virus wasn’t a concern until recent years and most people had never heard of it before. It’s spread mostly from the bite of a certain species of mosquito, the Aedes, which bites during the day and night. The virus can also be spread by men through unprotected sex. The virus can cause serious birth defects in children born to mothers infected with the virus. It can also be very serious for those with weak immune systems like young children and seniors. As of right now, there are no treatments or vaccinations for Zika. It has recently been found in a certain area of Miami but is mostly concentrated in Central and South America.

To prevent the virus, it’s most important for pregnant women to avoid going to infected areas if at all possible. When traveling in areas where Zika is common, you should wear long sleeve shirts and long pants to protect the extremities. Clothing should be light colored, which will not only help you see any mosquitoes that may land on you, but can also help keep you cool in these warmer climates. Always carry a quality bug spray and use it often, as directed. For children, be sure to apply the spray regularly. When using spray with young children, don’t spray anywhere near the mouth, nose or eyes, and don’t use these sprays with children under 2 months of age. Always apply your insect repellent over sunscreen if you’re using both.

If you are camping, sleeping outside or visiting one of the areas where Zika is present, you should always use a mosquito net. These are affordable and easy to carry with you. They help to surround you at night for added protection. Keep windows closed when possible and use screens when windows are open. When you return home after traveling to an infected area, you should closely monitor your health for any symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain or red eyes. Many people who contract the virus will have very mild symptoms or none at all. It’s important that you talk with your doctor about the virus as it can be spread from an infected person to other mosquitoes and then other people. The test for Zika is a simple blood or urine test. 

If you live in an area where Zika has been found, you can do some things around the home to deter mosquitoes from nesting and staying near your house. Remove any planters, pots or other things that provide standing water for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. If you have a large container that can’t be removed, and won’t be used for drinking, you can treat it with an product designed to prevent the hatching of mosquito eggs. If you see mosquitoes near your house, a spray designed for outdoors will kill many of them. There are also plants that deter mosquitoes that you can plant in your yard if you prefer a non-chemical solution.

Staying cautious can help you avoid the Zika virus. The best way is to simply not travel to infected areas. This is especially true for women who are currently pregnant or are trying to get pregnant in the near future. If you must travel to these areas, take the previously mentioned steps to protect yourself and avoid bringing the virus back to areas that weren’t previously dealing with a Zika problem.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

Summer is certainly an enjoyable season, but the hot weather and bright sunshine pose some serious health challenges. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy this summer. 

Heat-related deaths are a major concern during the summer. Plan ahead to stay cool before the dog day’s of summer begin. If you like to exercise outdoors, try working out in the early morning or early evening, when the sun’s rays are less intense. You might also consider finding a climate controlled environment for your walk. Some walking groups meet at shopping malls. At the mall, you can stay active while window shopping. During a heat wave, you should take extra precautions. If you do not have an air conditioning unit, you could check to see if your community offers a cooling center. Some local organizations will also provide fans to help beat the heat. During periods of excessive heat, make sure you check on relatives and friends to make sure they fine. You should also learn the warning signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. These include:

• Headache
• High Fever 
• Unusual mood or behavior 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Excessive sweating 
• Elevated heart rate
• Panting 
• Flushed skin 

If you or a loved one shows sign of heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately.

This tip is important. Sunscreen, applied correctly and regularly, helps protect you from the sun’s bright rays. Even one blistering sunburn can increase your risks for certain kinds of skin cancers, so make sure you apply sunscreen every day. A person can get a sunburn even on a cloudy day, so it is crucial that you make sunscreen use a daily habit.

If it is just too hot for most outdoor exercises, why not visit your local pool? Swimming is an activity that can be enjoyed at any age and any fitness level. Many community pools also offer fitness classes, or you can choose to swim laps on your own. Swimming and water aerobics are enjoyable activities that can also be very beneficial to your overall health. Many people find that regular swimming helps with joint soreness and can even help increase their mobility.

Although it can be tempting to stay cool by eating delicious ice cream, there are healthier choices if you are concerned about calories. A bowl of fruit is a guilt-free indulgence. Frozen juice bars are another acceptable option, as long as you select a kind that is made with real fruit juice and no additional sugar. If you just cannot ignore your ice cream craving, however, try frozen yogurt.

During the hot summer months, hydration is crucial. However, you should avoid sugary sodas or other calorie-dense drinks. You can avoid consuming extra empty calories by making easy substitutions. For example, instead of soda, you might try calorie-free seltzer water. Some brands do contain sodium, so make sure you read the labels carefully if you need to avoid consuming much salt. Sweet iced tea is certainly tasty, but it often contains high amounts of sugar. You can better control how much sugar you are ingesting by ordering unsweetened tea and adding your own sweetener. Over time, you might even come to prefer the taste of the unsweetened version.

In the summer, fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables are abundant and packed with vitamins and minerals. Enjoy them while they are at the peak of ripeness. A walk around the farmer’s market can be a wonderful way to ensure that you are getting enough activity and eating well.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

If you’re planning a summer vacation abroad, you probably have a long checklist of items to take care of before you leave. But amidst shopping, packing, and creating an itinerary, it’s also important to get vaccinated before heading overseas. Read on to learn more about why getting your shots before traveling to a foreign country is critical for your health.

Diseases that are eradicated in the United States may be common in other parts of the world. While polio and measles don’t affect Americans, these vaccine-preventable diseases are still common in other parts of the world. Having any necessary booster shots before you go can help ensure that you have the antibodies to ward off any illnesses you may be exposed to in another country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since measles was officially declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, there have been 668 people diagnosed with the disease. Most of these cases were traced to unvaccinated travelers. The CDC recommends that all teens and adults who do not demonstrate immunity receive the MMR vaccine before going abroad.

Getting the recommended vaccines is the only way to protect yourself from contracting a serious and potential fatal illness while overseas. The CDC has an online tool that tells you what vaccines you need depending on where you’re traveling and certain other criteria, including age, health status, type of travel, purpose for travel, and additional factors. The site also has travel health notices that indicate destinations for which additional disease precaution is currently recommended. You can access these resources at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/ travel.

Most commonly, international travelers must get an MMR booster, shots protecting against tetanus/diphtheria and yellow fever if you haven’t had these vaccine within 10 years, and a polio vaccine if you are not immune. While these are the required immunizations, your doctor may also recommend that you be vaccinated against hepatitis B, rabies, hepatitis A, and typhoid. And while there’s no vaccine for malaria, the CDC recommends that travelers to Central or South America, Africa, parts of Asia, or the South Pacific take a preventive drug regimen.

To make sure you can get all your shots, it’s important to plan ahead. Gathering your vaccine records and making the necessary appointments can take time. In addition, if the vaccines you need for the country to which you’re traveling aren’t available in your local area, you may need to visit a special travel clinic. Some shots, including the vaccination for yellow fever, can be given only by a certified provider and documentation of this vaccine is necessary to enter your destination. Allow at least 4 to 6 weeks before your travel date to make sure your immunizations are up to date.

While you may not be keen to add another item to your travel to-do list, getting the recommended vaccines can save you from an unpleasant illness and the impact of the resulting treatment – not to mention ensure that you have a happy, healthy, and safe vacation.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

While practically everyone has been told that staying active is important for the body, it’s oftentimes unclear as to how important staying active actually is to all facets of a persons health. No matter what your age is, being active drastically improves your quality of life.

All it takes is a mere 30 minutes of exercise every day for you to receive the benefits of an active lifestyle. Not only does regular physical lead to numerous health benefits, it also assists in reducing the risk you have of obtaining a disease or illness because of bad health. There are a myriad of benefits contributed to staying active for both mental and physical health. In regards to mental health, benefits include:

• The lessening of depression
• Improvements to mood
• Improved sleep patterns
• Reduction of stress

Though the mental benefits are oftentimes less noticeable than the physical ones, they are just as important. Some physical benefits include:

• Being able to more readily manage your weight
• Reducing the risk of slips and falls
• An increase in energy
• Feeling better in general
• Faster recovery from illness
• Stronger muscles and bones

Each of these physical benefits are particularly useful as you age, as they are essential for ensuring that the aging process goes as smoothly as possible. It’s also important to note that certain types of physical activity will provide specific benefits. For instance, in order to help make your muscles stronger, muscle-strengthening exercises are necessary.

These include everything from standard weight lifts to more strenuous push ups. All portions of your body should be worked on with these exercises. By performing stretching exercises, your body is able to become more flexible and stable, which greatly lessens the chances that you suffer from an injury. If you want your bones to become stronger, some common bone-strengthening exercises that will assist with this include jumping and running.

The importance of staying active cannot be fully understood without covering the problems that are created by a lack of physical activity. There are a variety of problems that can develop from too little exercise. In general, your health will be worse, especially as you age. This can manifest itself in any number of issues. Without exercising on a regular basis, you’re at a much higher risk of developing heart disease or Type 2 Diabetes. Both your cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels are heightened dramatically when you haven’t worked out as much as you should have. Your risk of suffering from a stroke is increased as well. This is just a small glimpse of the issues caused by a lack of staying active.

However, you should also remember that physical activity and nutrition go hand in hand. To obtain the most benefits from staying active, it’s also important that you eat well. Keeping your caloric intake in check will work in tandem with your exercise routine to give you a healthier body. As you age, your metabolism will become slower and slower. Because of this, you will need to be more active and eat less calories in order to reap the most benefits. If you exercise on a regular basis, it won’t be long until your body and mind are provided with the benefits you deserve.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year. In simple terms, arthritis is a medical condition characterized by joint pain due to inflammation of the surrounding tissue. Though anyone can develop arthritis, it is most common in the elderly and those who have had joint related injuries in the past. While arthritis cannot be cured, there are many things that people can do to reduce the impact that arthritis has on their life.

Arthritis can be caused by a variety of issues, but wear and tear from frequent use and injuries are the most common. For example, many people who do manual labor will develop arthritis in their hands, elbows or shoulders as a result of repetitive movement. Arthritis can also be caused by other medical conditions such as an infection. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an overactive immune system that attacks healthy tissue in the body. Arthritis is generally diagnosed without any need for medical tests, but medical testing may be completed to rule out other health problems that can cause similar symptoms.

The treatment of arthritis varies depending on its cause. The beginning treatment for arthritis that is caused by a medical condition is to address the underlying problem. For minor cases of arthritis, over the counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be used to reduce the pain and swelling. For those whose symptoms cannot be managed with over the counter medications, prescription pain relievers are available. Doctors can also provide pain relieving injections into the affected joint, but these injections cannot be frequented used. Occupational therapy can also help arthritis sufferers by teaching them ways to reduce strain on their affected joints while living a normal life. In severe cases, surgical procedures can be used to help joints to work properly or to completely replace a joint with an artificial one.

In addition to medications and other medical treatments, a number of lifestyle changes can also have a positive impact on arthritis. Exercise and stretching can be effective for reducing arthritis symptoms. Exercise can help a person to strengthen muscles and lose weight which will both reduce the strain on a person’s joints and reduce the occurrence and severity of arthritis. Low impact aerobic activities such as swimming, riding a stationary bike or yoga can be very beneficial without placing much stress on the painful joints. Dietary changes such as reducing sodium intake and eating a balanced diet with lots of fresh foods can also reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

While many people overlook the mental health aspects that medical problems can cause, mental health issues often occur with those who suffer from arthritis. The pain from arthritis, as well as the social isolation that it can cause, often has a negative impact on a person’s mental health. Those suffering from arthritis, or other chronic conditions, should stay aware of their mental health and consult with a medical professional about any problems that may arise. Staying active and connected with others with help arthritis sufferers to fight off the depression and other mental health disorders that poor health can create.

Like most medical problems, arthritis can be a difficult problem to treat and correct. However, there are a number of treatment options available to help those with arthritis to live a normal and productive life. Regardless of the severity of the arthritis symptoms, a person who has arthritis needs to contact a medical professional to take action to treat his or her existing symptoms and to prevent the problems from becoming worse.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

Due to misconceptions and misunderstandings about hospice care, many patients who could benefit from it don’t receive it. Hospice care provides a supportive and caring environment in which those who have a terminal illness can live out their remaining days as comfortably as possible. The care received is tailored to the wants and needs of you and your family, so one person’s hospice experience can be vastly different from another’s. Here are the five most important facts you need to know if you’re considering hospice care.

Many people believe that hospice care requires the patient to move into a designated hospice facility, but this simply isn’t true. Hospice is a type of care, not a place. You can receive hospice care wherever you call home, be it a private residence or a room or apartment within a nursing care facility or retirement community. Hospice does not require you to live in a specific place or environment. In this arrangement, care comes to you rather than asking that you come to it.

While hospice care is for those with a terminal illness, it’s not about giving up. Hospice is about giving patients the care and support they need to get the most life possible out of whatever time they have left. In fact, people who receive hospice care often live longer than those who don’t. When thinking about hospice care, many people picture patients receiving pain killing drugs in high enough doses that they simply sleep most of the time. While controlling pain is one of the many services hospice care can provide, the care focuses on getting patients the services and equipment they need to live comfortably. If you’re still feeling well enough to run a marathon or volunteer at your church, hospice is happy to help you do so.

Hospice programs offer a multitude of support services to both the patient and his or her family. Support services are available to help people make end of life decisions, cope with their illness and help loved ones deal with their grief both before and after a hospice patient’s passing. Hospice provides services on an a la carte basis, providing only those service you need or want. They can provide the following and more on an as needed basis:

• Home visits from registered nurses
• Access to home health aides who can help with bathing, dressing and other tasks
• Counseling services for patients and their family
• Medical equipment, including hospital beds and oxygen tanks
• Medical supplies
• Nutritional counseling, occupational therapy and other support services
• Access to physicians and specialists
• Pain and symptom management

It is often assumed that hospice care is only for those in the last stages of life and that care has a six month tine limit. This is a misconception. You can receive hospice care as long as you meet the qualifications. If your condition improves and you no longer meet hospice care requirements, you can leave hospice but resume care at any time if you once again meet the criteria. There is no tine limit on how long you may receive hospice services.

Hospice is covered by Medicare in 43 states, so many people qualify for care at little or no cost. Many private insurances also cover hospice services so that families need not worry about the cost. If you don’t have insurance. Medicare or Medicaid, hospice programs will sometimes provide at least some of their services for free. It’s always worth a telephone call to your local hospice care provider to find out what help may be available.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.

Making the transition for staying the the hospital and receiving the ok from your physician is an exciting time! With many ends to tie up and preparations to be made, here is your guide to making your transition an effortless one.

Another term for a healthcare proxy is a Medical Power of Attorney. This is when you designate someone to make decisions on your behalf if you have become incapacitated. The document is legally binding. It is crucial to make one as soon as possible. You will continue to make decisions for yourself as long as you are capable.

The proxy comes into play if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. For example, if you are terminally ill, and cannot do things like you normally do, the person designated on the proxy would take over and make the decisions for you. Another example is if you end up in a coma following an accident. The person you designate on the proxy would make all the decisions on your behalf.

Typically, when you get admitted to a hospital, the attending physician would ask for a healthcare proxy. Most people draw one up when preparing a living will. The vast majority of people do not have a living will or a health proxy. Some people have never heard of the term until the doctor first mentions it.

Depending on how severe the illness is, your caregiver will need to order some equipment and supplies. The hospital will assist you with the necessary information. If you are utilizing a home care agency, find out what type of medical equipment they provide and what you will need to pay out of pocket.

Find out if you will need equipment such as a walker, shower chair, or a commode. You will also need to know if you will have to get supplies ranging from diapers, disposable gloves, or skincare items. You will need to know if your insurance will cover any of the equipment and supplies. As a caregiver, it can get overwhelming to look after a loved one. You do not have to do it alone. .

Additionally, your home should be comfortable and safe. You will have to remove obstacles from your home that would cause falls such as a rug or electrical cords that extend across the room. Find a place where you would write relevant information for appointments such as a bulletin board, a drawer, or a notepad.

Figure out what you will be doing for yourself and what others will be doing for you. For example, can you shower by yourself? Can you comb your hair? Will you need assistance to make the bed? Whatever you cannot do, communicate that to the hospital staff. They will, in turn, pass the information to your caregiver.
Don’t be afraid to be the best advocate for yourself!

You will need to know what medications you will be taking and what time to take them. Also, you will need to know for how long you will take the medicine. Other information regarding your medication includes whether you should take them with meals and also knowing the side effects. You will also need to know what drug can get combined with medicines you were already taking. Furthermore, you will need to know how to manage your medication.

VNA & Hospice is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents of the Central Coast and Monterey County. Registered nurses and skilled staff members provide many services, including senior home care, hospice health care, palliative care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and more.