Category: Caregivers Blog

It’s never easy to think about losing someone you love, and this leads to many families delaying the uncomfortable conversation about Hospice and end-of-life care. However, the sooner you get your parent or elderly loved one under Hospice care, the sooner they can feel comfortable and relaxed during their final stages of life.

If you’re not sure when the right time is to put your parents or elderly loved one in Hospice, here are a few warning signs to be aware of:

1. They can no longer drive.
2. They can no longer do simple tasks around the house (check the mail, cook for themselves, etc.).
3. They have fallen in their home more than once.
4. They have had a significant weight loss.
5. It is difficult for them to eat or digest solid food.
6. They can no longer bathe or use the bathroom themselves.
7. They are experiencing changes in mental abilities. (Loss of memory, dementia)
8. They have been hospitalized or have visited the ER several times in the past 6 months.
9. Hospital bills are becoming financially overwhelming
10. They have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with limited life expectancy. (Typically six months or less).
11. They choose to refrain from any form of curative treatment.
12. They are eligible for Hospice services through Medicaid or Medicare.

 

If your parent or elderly loved one has difficulty living on their own due to any of these symptoms, in-home care might be a good option. However, if your loved one has been given a terminal diagnosis, they could benefit greatly from Hospice care. Calling Hospice is extremely painful because it means coming to terms with the death of a loved one. Ultimately though, it can be the right decision. The sooner the decision is made, the sooner your loved one can be comfortable and at peace during their final months.

For more information on whether or not Hospice care is right for your parent or loved one, call the team at ViaQuest at 855.289.1722. We are dedicated to answering any questions and supporting you through this difficult transition.

ViaQuest also offers grief counseling for every member of the family during this difficult period. We have a support team of counselors, chaplains, nurses, and medical directors that will be there for physical, emotional, and spiritual support for both the patient and their family.

Summer is officially here, which means that it’s time to start planning that highly-anticipated summer vacation. If you have an aging or ill loved one who requires additional care, planning a summer vacation might seem stressful to both you and them. While traveling with an elderly loved one does provide a different set of challenges, don’t let that hold you back. With the right preparations, you can help your loved one enjoy a relaxing vacation with no hassles or headaches.

 

1. Consult your loved one’s primary care physician. This should be the crucial first step before even planning a trip. Get approval from their doctor and ensure that they are cleared for travel. Talk with them about any specific concerns or risks in traveling. Use this opportunity to make sure that your loved one is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations and has refills to any prescriptions.

 

2. Pack lightly and smartly. The less you have to carry, the more easily you can help your loved one carry their items or get around. Make sure to have all essentials items within reach at all times—this includes medication (plus copies of prescriptions), water and snacks, emergency phone numbers, sunscreen, and important documentation (passport, Medicare card, and travel insurance).

 

3. Arrange all accommodations in advance. If necessary, contact the airline ahead of time and request advanced boarding or disabled seating. You can also request first floor rooms at hotels, wheelchair accessible rental cars, and audio players at museums and exhibits. Planning all of this in advance allows for ease and efficiency on the day of.

 

4. Be patient and understanding. Avoid tight schedules and rushed itineraries. Allow plenty of time between one activity and the next, and allow for changes in schedules to accommodate your loved one’s energy level. Be realistic and patient about how much activity they can or can’t do, and adjust your plans to their capabilities.

 

5. Plan for emergency. If you’re traveling to an unfamiliar destination, research the closest hospitals and medical centers. Also, bring contact information for your doctors at home, just in case. Make sure that your loved one has a way of contacting you at all times, even if you’re not planning on splitting up.

 

Traveling with an aging or ill loved one may seem like more hassle than it’s worth, but with ample planning and precautions, your summer vacation will not only be worry-free, but also a  cherished memory that you will and your loved one will always share.

 

If you are thinking about taking a vacation with your aging and ill loved one, ViaQuest  can offer more specific help and recommendations based on your case. ViaQuest offers a variety of specialized services , which allow us to provide more comprehensive support to individuals and their unique needs. Call us at (855) 289-1722 for more information.

The days surrounding Father’s Day can be an emotional time for those who have lost a father, especially if it is a recent loss. It can be difficult to escape the ever-constant stream of Father’s Day promotions, greeting cards, and cookouts. However, even if your father is no longer with you this Father’s Day, there are still ways in which you can celebrate and honor his memory.

1. Get him a card. If you find yourself unable to escape the rows and rows of greeting cards, go ahead and get one for your dad. Funny or serious—pick one that describes your relationship. Then, write a note to your dad. Writing can be a good way to let out your emotions. You can tell your dad how much you miss him, what’s going on in your life, and thank him for the time that you did have together.
2. Share memories and stories. Gather your family and friends and reminisce on all the times that you and your dad shared. Tell them about your secret nicknames, inside jokes, and that one embarrassing story that only he knew. Keep his legacy alive by passing on these stories to your children. Pull out old photos and recount the best qualities of your dad. If you find a photo that you especially love, share it on social media so your friends can remember him as well.
3. Celebrate the other men and father figures in your life. While no one can replace your dad, it’s important to honor the other men who have shaped you. Friends, coaches, teachers, and even your mother—tell them how much you appreciate their impact on your life in the absence of your father. Likewise, if you are a father yourself, spend the day letting your children celebrate you.
4. Spend the day doing what he loved. Take the day to yourself (or recruit the family) to pay tribute to your dad and the things he loved to do. Take a walk in his favorite park, cook his favorite meal, or watch his favorite old western movie. This is a good way to feel connected to him, even when he is no longer physically there.
5. Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that this will be a hard day, and it’s perfectly normal to be emotionally overwhelmed. Allow yourself to deal with your grief on your own time; the process is different for everyone. When you are ready to seek help in coping with grief, reach out to a member of the bereavement care team at ViaQuest.

Celebrating Father’s Day after a father has passed can be painful, but remember that it’s okay to grieve, laugh, cry, and celebrate—or not celebrate. Ultimately, how you choose to spend the day is up to you, as long as you allow yourself to honor your dad in a way that’s best for you.

ViaQuest has a strong support team of social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and a bereavement care team dedicated to helping you. After a loved one has passed, the ViaQuest team is here to support the emotional needs of those left behind through grief and loss counseling, memorial services, and support groups. Contact us at (855) 289-1722 for more information or visit https://viaquestinc.com/core-services/hospice/emotional-support/

Mother’s Day is often a hard day for those whose mothers have passed away. However, there are still ways to celebrate this holiday and continue to honor your mother even after her passing.

Have a Get-Together
Celebrate her life with those who knew her best. Spend the day with family and friends sharing fond memories and photos of your mother.

Write it Down
Don’t keep it bottled up. Consider writing a note to your mother and say how much you love and miss her. Putting it in writing may help you through your grief process.

Volunteer or Donate
Volunteer your time to one of your mother’s favorite causes or donate to a charity on your mother’s behalf. These are positive ways to honor your mother’s memory and will make you feel lighter on this emotional day.

Take up a Hobby
Maybe today is the day to explore your mother’s favorite pastime. Read that book that she always talked about or take a crack at crocheting. Do what your mother loved to do and feel connected.

Leave Flowers
Take flowers to her gravesite to commemorate the day. By spending time at her resting place, you have time to open up and reflect. If her gravesite is not near, ask a nearby friend or family member to leave a flower arrangement on your behalf.

Although Mother’s Day can be difficult, ViaQuest encourages you to look for gentle reminders and symbols of joy. ViaQuest has a strong support team of social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and a bereavement care team dedicated to helping you. Even after a loved one has passed, your ViaQuest team is here to support the emotional needs of those left behind through grief and loss counseling, memorial services, and support groups.

Advance directives allow you to legally document your end-of-life decisions in advance. This documentation can help provide peace of mind by ensuring that things are handled in accordance to personally-held values and beliefs.

Advance directives enable you to express how much medical care you desire at the end-of-life. This care can include life-support machines and other life-prolonging treatment. These legal documents are your voice when you are no longer able to make decisions on your own. They allow you to outline your wishes in a way that will avoid confusion and stress later on.

There are generally three categories of advance directives: health care proxy, durable power of attorney, and a living will.

A living will documents what types of medical treatment you want in the future should you become incapable of communicating your wishes. A living will explains what life-prolonging treatment may or may not be performed. If you don’t have a living will, someone else will make the medical treatment decisions for you if you were to become incapacitated.

A health care proxy is a legal document which allows a person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. They are able to make medical decisions based on the most up-to-date information. This should be a person trusted to respect your wishes even in times of great stress and sadness.

A durable power of attorney allows an appointed individual to handle financial and business transactions if you are unable to perform them yourself. These decisions can include: making bank transactions, signing social security checks, applying for disability, or paying bills on your behalf.

Be mindful that different states have varying laws on advance directives and your documents must comply with your state’s laws.

It’s okay if your decision changes over the course of your lifetime. Know that you can change or cancel advance directives as long as you are considered competent and able to clearly indicate your desires. Remember to give copies of your signed and notarized advanced directive to family members, caregivers, and health care providers and notify them of any changes or cancellations.

April is Advance Directive Awareness Month, a great time to consider and document your wishes. ViaQuest encourages all individuals, regardless of age, to complete an advance directive. It’s an important step in directing your end-of-life care and ensuring your voice is heard. Having advance directives also helps reduce the stress and burden of loved ones left to make decisions when you cannot. Visit our website for resources, information and tools to help you complete your advance directives.

Every year, over 200,000 people die from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is
the third leading cause of death in the United States. What is scary about COPD is that it often
goes undetected. As a chronic and progressive condition, the early warning signs of shortness of
breath and fatigue are often dismissed as a just normal part of aging.

It is highly recommended that patients with COPD obtain care to help manage their illness. Why?
Because COPD is tricky to treat. While someone may live and be able to manage their COPD for
years, symptoms will eventually worsen. For example, a patient may develop pneumonia and
require additional medical assistance. There’s no cure for COPD.

COPD is often also very stressful for those with the disease and their family caregivers.
Individuals with COPD frequently experience difficult and uncomfortable symptoms that are
difficult hard for them to manage alone. They struggle coping with their debilitating shortness of
breath as well as their dependency on oxygen. They also face the stress of frequent
hospitalizations. In fact, over half of the patients with COPD are readmitted to the hospital within
twelve months.

It’s important to understand the symptoms of the disease, its progress, and when it’s time for
ViaQuest to help. COPD is a progressive disease and as the disease
progressesadvances, COPD patients and caregivers may needwant assistance with managing
the increasing needs of the patient.

ViaQuest can greatly improve quality of life for patients with COPD. Our specialized teams of
caregivers are uniquely trained in the management of COPDthis disease. By providing services to
control symptoms and reduce anxiety and stress, we can help make this difficult time easier and
help families facing COPD return to living as fully as possible.

Many patients coping with end stage COPD qualify for ViaQuest Hospice care. But nation-wide,
only 30% of those who qualify received care. These services work best when started early on,
allowing us the best chance to improve quality of life, reduce stress and help control symptoms.
Medicare covers hospice for most people, but both Medicaid and private insurance will also often
cover hospice care for qualified peoplepatients.

Another great benefit from our care is an increased level of support for the patient and their
caregivers. Nurses provide medical and personal care in the patient’s homes or wherever they
may be living. Our aides help with daily activities like bathing and grooming, even small meal
preparation. Volunteers provide companionship and give caregivers an often much needed break.
Emotional support is provided by our chaplains. Medication and medical equipment connected to
the disease is provided as well.

And what is often most comforting, in times of emergency, care is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, instead of another late night trip to the emergency room.
Managing COPD that is coupled with additional medical complications can be especially difficult
without professional medical assistance and support. To learn more about how we can help with
COPD call us at 855.289.1722.