Caregiving and Hospice, December 9 - December 15, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What Is The Advance Directive For Dementia?  http://j.mp/2BiNQLk « Seven Ponds Blog

Caregiver Checklist: 5 Things to Prepare When Caring for a Loved One at Home, http://bit.ly/2NzNMem « Hospice Red River Valley

Dr. Ira Byock Says Words are a Powerful Tool That Shape How We View Serious Illness, http://j.mp/2LfXMdf « CSU Institute for Palliative Care

Caregiving and Hospice, November 26 - December 2, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Emotions of the Dying, http://j.mp/2j7CcdP « Pallimed

Giving permission–the final gift – A "Dummies" Guide To Learning To Live As A Patient Instead Of A Nurse, http://j.mp/2j4BdLr « Autonomic RN

4 Tips for Caregivers of Someone with Serious Illness, http://bit.ly/2jvJO9F « Care Dimensions

Caregiving and Hospice, October 29 - November 4, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month! Let's celebrate the wonderful end of life care that hospice and palliative care can give! http://j.mp/2h1Mx9M « Hospice Action Network

Defining Dignity at End of Life: One Question to Ask Hospice Patients, http://j.mp/2iwEWR4 « Pallimed

Linda Campanella: Why Are We in Denial about Death? http://j.mp/1nMTc7u « Pittsburgh Better Times

Caregiving and Hospice, October 1 - October 7, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

NHPCO Report: Hospice patients with short period of service continues to be a concern, http://j.mp/2fQeCjQ « Markets Insider

Book Review: "Life After the Diagnosis" by Dr. Steven Z. Pantilat, http://j.mp/2fO9TyY « Seven Ponds Blog

Stunning Poem on Living with Depression: "Having It Out with Melancholy," http://j.mp/2hHjsE7 « Brain Pickings

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 1 - January 7, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What is Aromatherapy and How Can It Help Those Facing Death? http://bit.ly/2i0tbVm « Seven Ponds Blog

The Power of Personalized Music: "I Get to Be Me," http://bit.ly/2iLVpm9 « Music & Memory

How to Plan for Death and End of Life Arrangements, http://bit.ly/2izsaku « Reader's Digest

Caregiving in Serious Illness: 8 Ways You Can Help

Source

[Reviewed and updated April 6, 2025]

Be a merciful presence to the dying and family as they are able to get their arms around deeper levels of reality. ~ Greg Yoder, in Companioning the Dying: A Soulful Guide for Counselors and Caregivers

As mentioned in an earlier post, grief occurs both in anticipation of and following a loss. Grief does not wait for a death to happen; it begins as soon as a person becomes aware that death may happen: when a life-threatening illness is diagnosed or a terminal prognosis is given. Family caregivers are in mourning too, well before the death occurs. They are coping not only with their own feelings of grief and loss, but also with physical and mental fatigue, and often feel overwhelmed with all the financial, legal, medical, and personal responsibilities associated with caregiving.

If you know someone whose loved one is terminally ill, you may be wondering what you might do to help ease their burden.

Caregiving and Hospice, September 20 - September 26, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Having a dog can help your heart — literally, http://j.mp/1gYnFgn « Harvard Health

Ideas For A New Hospice Nurse, http://j.mp/1R5qjhp « Hospice Times

Young People, Suicide Prevention and Social Media, http://j.mp/1YAx9QZ « Psychiatry Advisor

Caregiving in Serious Illness: Suggested Resources

[Reviewed and updated September 25, 2026]

Nearly 44 million unpaid caregivers form the backbone of the US chronic and long-term care system. These hard working family members provide care to injured veterans, aging adults, children with special needs, and individuals with chronic medical needs. Currently, 72% of caregivers take care of someone 50 or older. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the number of people who need care will continue to swell.  ~ National Alliance for Caregiving

A reader writes: Can you lend your expertise and provide some resources that will aid in delivering hospice and palliative care to individuals and families who suffer with and alongside serious illness?

My response: Along with the dozens of articles and sites you'll find on my Hospice and Caregiving Pinterest board, I've assembled here a list of websites and resources I hope you will find useful. As always, I invite our readers to add their own suggestions in the Comments section below:

Caregiving and Hospice, August 9 - August 15, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

In the face of serious illness: Don't Say Nothing,  http://j.mp/1P4pzHL « Modern Loss

Signs of approaching death, http://j.mp/1hvyIid « Barbara Karnes, RN

In healthcare, focus on patient safety instead of patient satisfaction, http://j.mp/1EjUz0S « Kevin MD

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Caregiving and Hospice, February 15 - February 21, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

We’ll all die one day. Isn’t it time we got used to the idea? http://j.mp/1zwqcRZ « The Guardian

Let's break the association of palliative care as hospice, http://j.mp/1CWhTQF « Kevin MD

Pet Shop for Dementia Patients Improves Happiness and Behavior, http://j.mp/1Lqwkmi « Alzheimer's Reading Room

Caregiving and Hospice, June 29 - July 5, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Conversations with Your Physician about Serious Illness: Being Heard, Getting Answers, http://j.mp/1qGkk8I « American Hospice Foundation

You might be ready for hospice if… http://j.mp/1qTAmJZ « Caring with Confidence

Helping Children Cope with a Parent's Serious Illness: Resources

[Reviewed and updated December 20, 2022]

A reader writes: My daughter just recently was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I want to know what I can do to make life easier for her and my four grandchildren. The children range in age from seven to thirteen. I understand that the kids are scared, but they are pushing everybody's boundaries at the moment, and my daughter is struggling big-time with their attitudes of defiance. I appreciate any help you can offer. Are there any resources "out there" that I should know about?