ARTICLES

Dementia is a progressive brain disease that causes memory loss, personality changes, and impaired cognitive function.

Death is a natural part of life. Knowing this fact doesn’t make the trauma of losing a loved one any easier. Losing someone you are close to can lead to long-term grief.

Many people find talking about death to be an uncomfortable, if not outright taboo, experience. The mystery around what happens when we die and the existential questions

Hospice workers have a unique perspective on death and dying, since they spend their days caring for and listening to people who are approaching the end of life.

Once a patient has decided to enter hospice care, the next step is to assess what level of care is most appropriate for the situation.

An important aspect of being a caregiver is providing assistance related to personal hygiene, particularly with bathing.

Keeping their independence is a priority for many seniors as they move through their golden years. They want to enjoy this time of life in the comfort and autonomy of their own homes.

If you’re a relative or a caregiver of a person living with dementia, it’s important to keep an eye out for changes in their appetite and their overall relationship with food.

While in-home care was once considered a novel approach to healthcare, a surge in interest in this type of caregiving is already underway and only expected to grow in the coming years.

As much as we focus on looking after the physical health of the aging population, it's just as important, if not more so, to focus on their mental health as well.

The decision to seek in-home care is a big one, and many seniors understandably struggle with this decision. Many view this transition as an unwelcome loss of independence

Our modern way of life means that family members often live at considerable distances from each other. On top of the everyday strain that this puts on family relations

From aides to counselors, there are many unsung heroes who are essential to hospice care. Hospice care is a challenging field to work in. Dealing with illness and death on a daily basis can be a heavy burden to bear

Discussions about end of life can be uncomfortable and awkward for everyone involved. No one wants to think about the time when a loved one will no longer be here.

Death and dying are always tricky subjects to talk about. North American culture does not typically encourage discussions about the end of life and how to die a “good” death.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been part of our lives for only just over a year, but for many who have spent most of 2020 and the first part of 2021 isolating and social distancing, it feels like much longer.

We can all take one huge positive from the past year. It’s that scientists have been able to create several vaccines which are very effective against COVID-19. On top of that, the vaccine rollout is now in full swing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has truly changed all facets of our lives, especially for people over 65. According to the CDC (1), our elderly citizens are the most vulnerable to COVID-19 because our immune system is naturally lower when we're older. Also, many seniors have pre-existing illnesses like diabetes or cancer that complicate the situation.

Friends and family members of the dying often have more difficulty understanding the situation, and knowing what to do, than the dying person. These are the signs that tell you when death is approaching, and how you can help your loved one transit peacefully.

Dementia is a disease that affects millions of people all over the world every year. However, there are actionable steps you can take to reduce the risk of getting dementia, and thus lead a longer, happier and healthier life. Below are 4 easy ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia

Losing someone we are close with can be an extremely difficult thing to experience and losing a family member can be particularly intense. Everyone grieves and copes with death differently, and there is no normal time period for someone to recover.

By choosing to enroll a family member or loved one into hospice care, it may be mistaken that a patient is giving up by foregoing other treatments for their illness. This is actually far from the truth and in fact, hospice care is about giving patients their own

Losing someone we are close with can be an extremely difficult thing to experience and losing a family member can be particularly intense. Everyone grieves and copes with death differently, and there is no normal time period for someone to recover.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in someone’s life? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that is meaningful? Then becoming a hospice volunteer may be great for you.

Palliative care is a valuable treatment option that gives patients the best of both worlds: treatment geared towards finding a cure for their illness while also maximizing their comfort and reducing pain.

Hospice care is designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness and focus on the comfort and quality of life, rather than a cure. The goal is to enable patients to be comfortable and free of pain so that they live each day as fully as possible.

Planning ahead for hospice care ensures that the patient receives the right level of care and support as soon as they are eligible. Although it might be difficult at first, it’s better to plan ahead and start the hospice conversation early.

For most people who have never experienced hospice care, they will usually assume it is just a place to go when you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness or are reaching the end of your life.

When someone has a serious illness or is nearing the end of life, it is important to consider what type of care will be the most beneficial. The type of treatment can be palliative care, which focuses on finding a cure, or hospice which aims to provide comfort to patients until they pass.

When it comes to hospice and end of life care, it is important to be informed. Hospice is not a topic that most people like to bring up. However, having the conversation can be beneficial in order to find the best care option for patients and their families.

Westlake Village hospice offers chaplain services to patients who are receiving palliative care during hospice. A Chaplain branches out beyond traditional care and is there to nurture the spiritual needs of a patient. Going into hospice can be extremely difficult

When it comes to decisions about end-of-life care we understand that it can be a difficult choice. Nobody wants to think about losing somebody they love. Hospice is here to provide care to patients and their families, while improving patient’s quality of life.