Cindy Bramble
The Difference Between Hospice Care and Palliative Care
Palliative care defined In broad terms, palliative care is any treatment or intervention intended to control pain or other distressing symptoms. In the context of hospice, palliative care focuses on quality of life rather than curing disease. All hospice care is palliative in that the focus is on controlling distressing symptoms, but not all palliative…
What do hospice volunteers do?
Hospice volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team. Watch this 5-minute video to hear personal experiences of hospice volunteers at Hospice of Michigan. Are you ready to become a hospice volunteer?
Dread of holidays
After the death of a loved one, it is not unusual to dread approaching birthdays, anniversaries, or other major celebrations that will underline the fact that your loved one is absent. Important events can often trigger our grief.My client Jean, who lost her husband to cancer, taught me a lot about facing that dread. Jean…
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Grief is not predictable
When I speak or counsel people about grief, I am often asked questions such as: How long do you think he will stay in the anger stage? When do you think I will finally accept my loss? Questions such as this are based on what is called a “stage model” of grief. Early on in…
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Medication is not a cure for grief
A few years ago, a student complained to me that her mother was prescribed medication to help cope with the death of her husband. She was outraged, stating that her mother should not and could not hide from her grief by taking medication. Expecting that I would readily agree with her, she asked my opinion,…
Señales de una muerte cercana
Aviso importante: Esta es una descripción general de algunos de los síntomas que pueden experimentar las personas al final de su vida. Aunque en cada experiencia individual influyen diferentes factores, como enfermedades y medicación, hay algunos cambios físicos comunes en este momento. En algunos casos, el proceso de morir puede durar semanas, y, en otros, puede tomar…
Grief in the workplace
Grief and loss can dramatically affect the workplace. Whether you are returning to work after a loss or supporting a bereaved coworker or employee, consider these helpful strategies and best practices. Returning to work after loss Bereavement-leave policies range from generous to inadequate, depending on the employer. Many employees feel they must return to work…
Supporting a friend or loved one
Grief does not have a predictable timeline or set of expectations. Nor does it come with a “script” that caring family members and friends can follow to comfort the bereaved. But there are steps you can take to provide compassionate support.
How to file a hospice complaint
Options are available for patients and families who are dissatisfied with the quality of their hospice care. Please note that HFA does not have the authority to monitor or regulate hospice providers and is unable to assist with individual hospice care complaints.
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