Having up-to-date medical information helps you to manage health care and medications and is crucial to have in case of an emergency. Keeping your doctor current will also help in managing your health needs. Primary Emergency Contact (name, relationship and phone number) Secondary Emergency Contact (name, relationship and phone number) YOU HAVE A CHOICE: Do […]
After the Funeral, Help Them Help You
I joined the W Club in July of 2016 after my husband lost his battle with cancer. I blog about my revelations as a widow working my way through grief at The Wandering Widow. I’m grateful Treasure Valley Hospice invited me to share some of my observations with you. Starting the moment your loved one […]
When To Call Hospice
If you say yes to one or more of the indictors below, it may be time to get a Free Hospice Evaluation: Recent weight loss or decreased appetite? Frequent hospital, ER and/or MD visits? Increase in infections and/or skin breakdown? Increased pain or other uncontrolled symptoms? Changes in behaviors and/or interests? Require more assistance with […]
Football and Caregiving: Teamwork is Essential
Football season is here! I am often forced to watch football, being surrounded by a “team” of boys. It is a love-hate relationship, but I love the atmosphere of football and the feeling of belonging I have during the season. Gathering together to watch and cheer on the team through the celebrations and the frustrations […]
Compassion and Grieving Friends
I was very fortunate to be in a position where I could interview the wife and daughter of a patient who had passed while under the care of our hospice team. This blog is about their story, their grief and the world that had changed for them. In a world of social media and the […]
Grief Filled Holiday
Joy Filled Holidays…not always. It probably comes as no surprise to health care providers that several studies show people have a greater chance of dying on Christmas, the day after Christmas or New Year’s Day than any other single day of the year. As reported by Jen Christianson of CNN, this is true for people […]
Where Are You Now?
In the last year, I took the position as the Administrator for Treasure Valley Hospice and am also a minority owner of our company. I still love to be out in the community but don’t make it to as many networking events as I use to. However, this week I was able to attend a […]
A Daughter’s Perspective on Saying Goodbye to Her Mom
Having an emergency physician explain to you and your family in a hospital room that your mom most likely has stage 4 lung cancer is quite a shock, to say the least. I experienced this firsthand on September 30, 2015. The look on the physician’s face proved how hard it was for him to deliver that […]
Conversations About Conversations
What is going on about all the conversations about have “The Conversation?” An interesting phenomenon is building momentum. Healthcare crisis is something we don’t think about until we are in it. Why should we? As American’s we are excellent at reacting, living in the moment and problem fixing. However, this comes at a cost. Conversations […]
Hospice verus Palliative Care
Hospice care is palliative care, but palliative care is not hospice. The difference between these two types of care is something that can be difficult to clarify. However, this care is a fundamental part of treating any chronic or terminal illness. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word palliate means “to make the effects of […]