Articles tagged with Hospices
A new study finds that hospice services are restricted by eligibility criteria that reduce usage among patients who need it most, particularly African Americans. The researchers suggest revising the criteria to prioritize those with greater needs for specific services like pain management.
A new University of Michigan study finds major gaps in hospice care availability across the US, attributed to low Medicare funding and reliance on charity. The study shows that communities with lower average incomes and education levels have fewer hospices, while areas with higher incomes and educated populations have more.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that one in 10 hospice patients are referred 'too late' for services, resulting in unmet needs. Families who reported having a loved one referred 'too late' were dissatisfied with the care received and reported more pain management problems.
A study on rheumatoid arthritis found that flexible use of drugs with close patient follow-up can effectively control the disease. Additionally, a trial on men with prostate cancer showed that an osteoporosis drug strengthens bones and reduces bone loss.
A study by CQU's International Program for Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) revealed that standardised questionnaires in hospice practice negatively impacted upon patients' and carers' experiences and wellbeing. Informal conversation was seen as a flexible, sensitive, and consumer-focused alternative to questionnaire use.
A new study confirms that, despite an increase in hospice care, many terminally ill cancer patients continue to receive aggressive treatment in the last days of life. The study found that while hospice use increased steadily over time, it was often not used for symptom relief and building relationships.
A randomized trial found that promoting communication about hospice increased enrollment in 20-25% of patients within 30 days, while also providing more comprehensive end-of-life care. Intervention residents had higher rated family satisfaction and lower acute care admissions.
A study by Yale University found that shorter hospice enrollment is associated with elevated depression among family caregivers. The research highlights the importance of thinking about hospice earlier in an illness and seeking appropriate care before a patient's death.
A survey of 73 social workers in the Carolinas found that over a quarter reported similar comments from patient family members. The study suggests that hospice patients considering hastening death may differ from typical patients, with higher rates of cancer. Social workers can provide assessment and intervention to address these needs.
Since 1991, end-of-life care has seen significant improvements in palliative care and hospice availability. Timothy Quill's father's death provided a unique opportunity to illustrate the good and bad in end-of-life care, highlighting the need for consistent availability of care options.
Hospice nurses reported that patients who hastened death by refusing food and fluids were ready to die, saw no meaning in living, and had poor quality of life. These patients died within 15 days after stopping food and fluids, with a median score of 8 for the quality of their deaths.
A study found that elderly nursing home residents receiving hospice care through Medicare are less likely to be hospitalized in their last days of life compared to those without such care. Hospice care improves the quality of life and reduces costs for the federal government.
A new $50,000 grant will establish professional arts programs inside healthcare institutions to support the healing process. The Society for the Arts in Healthcare will develop training programs and provide guidance to help organizations integrate arts into their environments.
The Palliative Care Project challenges the current model of medical care, which forces terminally ill patients to choose between continued medical treatment and hospice care. The new program integrates both services, allowing patients to receive cutting-edge medical therapy while also benefiting from palliative care.
Hospice care is underused in the US, with most patients enrolling too late to benefit from it. Short stays can lessen the effectiveness of hospice care, leaving little time for caregivers to learn about the patient's needs and arrange optimal care.