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Grief and Loss Overview of the grieving process: Grief is a natural human response to the loss of a loved one. It can manifest itself in many ways. Grief moves in and out of stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss. It is normal for both the dying person and the survivors to experience grief. For survivors, the grieving process can take many years and many forms. The challenge of accepting death and dying as the end stage o...

Home Health Care Overview What is home health care? Before modern medicine, caring for someone medically in the home was quite common, and hospitalization was rare. Today, with a growing trend toward reduced hospital stays, home health care is gaining popularity. While caregivers of the past were generally family members or friends, home health care today is based more on a professional health care team working toward a common goal. Today home health care may be considered for patients who are: recoveri...

Hospice Care Overview What is hospice care? The word "hospice" literally means "a place of shelter." It is also the type of care provided to support a terminally ill patient at home. Care usually involves relieving symptoms and providing psychological and social support for the patient and family. The goal of hospice care is to provide the terminally ill patient peace, comfort, and dignity. To qualify for hospice care, a patient usually has a life expectancy of less than six months. Research has shown t...

Hospice Care Statistics According to the Hospice Association of America and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: There are over 3,200 hospices participating in the Medicare program in the US, with an additional 200 volunteer hospices. From 1984 to 2008, the number of Medicare participating hospice facilities increased one hundred fold. Reports show that more than 964,000 patients received hospice care through Medicare in 2006. Medicare certifies more than 90 percent of hospices in the ...

Online Resources - Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This page contai...

Topic Index - Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care Home Home Health Care Overview Home Health Care Statistics Being a Caregiver Making the Home Environment Safe Assistive Equipment for the Home Types of Home Health Care Services Hospice Care Overview Hospice Care Statistics Types of Hospice Care Services Types of Home Health and Hospice Care Providers Paying for Home Health and Hospice Care Choosing a Provider Patient Rights Elder Care Grief and Loss Glossary

Types of Hospice Care Services What are the different types of hospice care services? Hospice care, unlike home health care, provides treatment to manage pain and symptoms associated with a terminal illness. In addition, hospice care gives support - emotionally, spiritually, and socially to the patient and the family. The goal of hospice is to provide comfort and care, not "cure" the illness or disease, like home health care. Types of hospice care services provided depend on the patient's needs and pref...

End-of-Life Planning Planning now for the end of life—no matter what your health status may be—helps ensure that your wishes are followed. For many, this brings peace of mind and a sense of control. It also takes the burden off loved ones, because they don’t have to guess what you would want. Even though there are many benefits to planning ahead, talking about death can be difficult. It’s important to remember that thinking and talking about dying does not mean that you will face death sooner. And it ce...

Life After Loss: Walking the Path to Wholeness You expect to grieve when a loved one dies, but grief also can occur following a divorce, a move from a beloved family home, being downsized from your job or any other loss that makes a major impact on the quality of your life and happiness. Whatever the nature of your loss, active grieving can help you get through the following months and years. “Healthy grief isn’t a passive experience; in fact, there’s a lot you can do in response to a serious loss other...

Planning for End of Life No one likes to think about the end of life, let alone consider questions about how one's final days will be spent. It's important to remember that we have medical choices that weren't available even 50 years ago. Planning for the end of life makes sense for everyone, regardless of health or life circumstances. Thinking it through It's always best to make important decisions without pressure. You need to understand your options and take time to consider what will help you reach ...

The Power of Resilience When tragedy strikes with the death of a loved one, a serious illness or a job loss, some people fall apart, while others adapt to such life-changing events more easily. Being resilient is what makes the difference. "Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy or significant stress—it means bouncing back from difficult experiences," says Patricia O'Gorman, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice in East Chatham, N.Y. "We all share a spec...

Help for When You're Grieving A loved one leaves on a military assignment, divorce papers are signed, a parent or a favorite pet passes away... "Any loss--and even an impending loss--can bring on feelings of grief," according to Karl Goodkin, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist and behavioral neuroscientist in Los Angeles. The grief process often brings with it shock or emotional numbness, followed by feelings of depression, anger, guilt, or helplessness. Grieving always hurts, but it's not a bad thing, Dr. Goo...