Palliative care is a specialized field of healthcare that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and their families. Within the realm of palliative care, nurse practitioners play a crucial and multifaceted role.
Dementia is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. One common symptom in individuals with dementia is sundowning. Sundowning refers to a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes that often occur in the late afternoon or early evening.
As individuals age or face illness, navigating healthcare becomes increasingly important. Understanding the support systems available is essential for ensuring optimal care and well-being as needs increase. By examining each role, individuals can bring in the right support at the right time.
When it comes to end-of-life care, two terms that often come up are palliative care and hospice care. While these terms are related to each other, they have distinct differences in terms of their focus, goals, and the stage of illness they address.
As a nurse practitioner, I am often asked about the difference between hospice and palliative care. The words “hospice” and “palliative” can trigger different emotions and hold different meanings for different people. The examples below can offer some clarity on these differences as well as how these types of care work together at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care.
A few years ago, as a primary care provider, I was caring for a patient named “Samantha*” who was 55 years old and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember meeting with her and her husband about this new diagnosis and trying to answer as many of their questions as I could.
