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- Hospice ·
COPD Patients: Doctors Call For Earlier Hospice Referrals
By: Wilma Peterson, RN According to the American Lung Association, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Living with the distress and panic caused by difficulty in breathing with COPD can induce stress for both the patient and the family. Due to this, Doctors are beginning to call for earlier hospice referrals for patients with COPD. If accessed at the right time, hospice care can assist with symptom management, prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, and help patients achieve a better quality of life. Patients with advanced COPD are eligible for hospice care, which…
- Hospice ·
Hospice: Keeping Loved Ones Home for the Holidays
The holidays can be a challenging and bittersweet time for those with a seriously-ill loved one. Electing the hospice benefit may seem like one more item on your to do list, but hospice can ease the burdens of facing a life-limiting illness. If a loved one has unmanageable symptoms, they could end up spending their holiday in the hospital, away from family and friends. Oasis Hospice helps families manage their loved one’s pain and symptoms so they can spend the holidays in the comfort of home–whether that means in their own home, in a loved one’s home, or in a…
- Hospice ·
The Hospice Benefit for Veterans
Care at no cost to Veterans and their families. Oasis Hospice collaborates with local VA agencies and programs to raise awareness about the benefit of hospice services for Veterans. As a Veteran, expenses for hospice-related services or enrolled veterans are covered in full. We Honor Veterans Program Oasis Hospice partners with the We Honor Veterans program to give veterans the best care possible. This program provides resources and training to meet the needs of our veteran patients and their families through respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgement so that veterans can have a peaceful end-of-life experience. VA Hospice Program…
- Home Health ·
Sepsis Awareness Month: Why Our Program Actually Works
By: Portia Wofford Home health clinicians play an essential role in caring for patients who are: At risk of developing sepsis Recovering from sepsis or septic shock Home health providers are vital in preventing hospital admissions and readmission among sepsis patients. According to the CDC, sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. Many patients receiving home healthcare services have chronic medical conditions and comorbidities that put them at risk for infection, including COVID-19 and sepsis. According to the Global Sepsis Alliance, COVID-19 can cause sepsis. Research suggests that COVID-19 may lead…
- Wellness ·
September is Healthy Again Month
During Healthy Aging Month, we focus on celebrating the many positive aspects of aging. Here are some tips to incorporate in your daily routine that can lead to a healthier lifestyle, allowing you to live your life to the fullest. Exercise – Get moving and active on a daily basis! Socialize – Stay in touch and find safe ways to connect with friends and loved ones! Stay balanced – Try new methods such as yoga to reduce stress and improve your overall balance! Rest – It’s important to make sure you are getting a good, quality rest each night. These…
- COVID-19 ·
Supporting Assisted Living Facilities During COVID-19
Happy National Assisted Living Week! As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change our daily lives, assisted living facilities continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their residents and employees. While keeping your loved ones safe might mean you cannot connect in person, here are some ways to support facility residents and employees from a safe distance. Get artsy. Spending the afternoon drawing pictures, painting windows, or snapping some fun photos are all great ways to get creative and share uplifting moments with residents. This can be a great way to engage children of all ages or…
- COVID-19 ·
How COVID-19 Affects Diabetes
By: Portia Wofford Physicians, scientists, and researchers are still learning about COVID-19 and its effects on the body. As they study the impact coronavirus has on different illnesses and disease processes, diabetes is getting attention. The CDC notes that having Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Because people with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing infections, they should take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19. Complications from diabetes related to COVID-19 Currently, there isn’t enough research or evidence to prove that diabetics are at an increased risk for COVID-19. However,…
- Hospice ·
Common Hospice Qualifiers
For many people, the decision to receive hospice care is made following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. Even so, some families still question this decision. Here are some common Hospice qualifiers to help determine when it might be time to elect the hospice benefit. Falls Frequent physician, ET and/or Hospital visits Weight loss and or BMI < 22 Decline aggressive therapy or is not a candidate Wounds EF < 20% NYHA Class IV symptoms at rest Little or no response to Bronchodilators Serum < 2.5 Dysphagia and/or aspiration pneumonia Shortness of breath and/or o2 sat of 88% or less…
- Services ·
Music Therapy Benefits in Hospice Care
A Music Therapy Case Study | Joshua Gilbert, MT-BC Throughout life, song can positively affect us both physically and emotionally. It influences bodily functions that we believe are beyond our control, such as heart rate, blood pressure and release of the body’s natural pain relief chemicals. Music therapy offers significant benefits for patients, caregivers and families. We offer it as part of our hospice services. In a case study conducted (by Joshua Gilbert) on the impact of music therapy over a four-month period, with an older adult in hospice care, results exhibited significant signs of improvement in the following categories:…
- Hospice ·
Common Hospice Diagnoses
Oasis Healthcare is here for you – 24/7/365. Choosing Hospice is often a difficult decision. We help lead this conversation and can ease the anxiety of the transition from cure to comfort for patients who are appropriate for hospice care. If two or more of these potential indicators are present, hospice should be considered. Common Hospice Diagnoses End Stages of: Cancer, Heart Disease/CHF, Pulmonary Disease/COPD, Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, Neurological Disease/CVA, Renal Disease & Liver Disease. If your loved one is requiring increased assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, oral care, toileting, transferring to their bed/chair,…
