Blog

hospice winston-salem
Wednesday January 16th, 2013

What is palliative care?

People with a serious illness sometimes experience distressing symptoms. This can be a result of their medical condition. Sometimes the symptoms are from the treatment itself!  That's when palliative care comes into play. A palliative care professional focuses on removing distress, regardless of the cause. What counts as distress?
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday January 9th, 2013

Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 12:00 – 2:00 PM Artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) can be a contentious issue in hospice, palliative care, and long-term care. This medical treatment has been identified as one of the most common ethical dilemmas in end-of-life (EOL) care. This educational program, produced by the Hospice Foundation of America:
Saturday January 5th, 2013

Choosing a complementary medical practitioner

Is Mom considering an herb-based remedy? Or perhaps you're wondering if acupuncture could help Dad's arthritis. Nearly 40% of American adults are turning to complementary and alternative medicine ("CAM"). You probably have heard individual success stories. But the risks and benefits of many alternative treatments have not been scientifically confirmed. And sometimes seemingly harmless herbs or supplements can actually interfere with prescription drugs.
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday December 19th, 2012

Supporting those in grief during the holidays

In past newsletters, we've talked about the holiday blues as you anticipate a loved one's final season. This year, we present touchstones for coping with the holidays after a loss. For instance, you may be comforting your mother as both you and she grieve your father's absence. Or you may be expecting a visit from a bereaved aunt or uncle. This is a fragile time of year. Use these tips to help support your loved ones through the season.
hospice winston-salem
Friday December 7th, 2012

Difficult questions...

As we face our mortality, whether death is in fact weeks or decades away, we inevitably come up with questions about life's mysteries: Is there meaning to life? What is the point if we are ultimately going to die? Do we simply vanish when we die, or is there an afterlife? Is there a Being, Existence, or Force that is larger than ourselves? Will we be judged for how we have lived? Why have we been given the conditions we've been given? If we are in pain, why are we suffering? If we know we are dying, what reason is there for hope?
living wills
Thursday November 29th, 2012

Wills and living trusts: In the event of your death

The need to protect your partner is a key reason to get your financial papers in order. You will want to be sure that he or she is not left high and dry, especially if you are living with someone without being married. Inheritance laws do not acknowledge unmarried couples; thus, you must specifically stipulate your wishes regarding your house or other assets. This is particularly true for same-sex partners because surviving family members may not be aware of the partnership or may be unwilling to respect the union.
Wednesday November 28th, 2012

Veterans Garden Dedication

November 12, 2012 was a special day on the Hospice & Palliative CareCenter campus in Winston-Salem as we had a wonderful dedication ceremony of our new Wells Fargo Veterans Garden, built by donations from the community. The Veterans Garden was specially designed to be a place for Hospice patients and families to reflect, remember and be honored.
Wednesday November 21st, 2012

Tips for Medicare Open Enrollment

October 15 through December 7 is the Medicare open enrollment period. This is the time of year when seniors can change their coverage for Medicare Parts C and D. Part D is prescription insurance. Part C involves Medicare "Advantage" plans. These plans provide coverage through special provider networks, for example, an HMO. You'll find a quick description of Medicare Plans in our November 2011 newsletter.