HELPFUL INFORMATION
Symptom Management Resources
We’ve created a range of resources tailored to the symptoms hospice patients may experience. Browse the documents by symptom and download the PDFs to have on-hand.
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Delirium can cause confusion, disorientation, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. This may happen due to advanced illness, lack of sleep, infections, medication side effects, or as part of the terminal stages of sickness. Symptoms fluctuate throughout the day, and may worsen in the evening.
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Dysphagia makes swallowing more difficult, which can affect eating, drinking, and taking medication. It’s common in people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, MS, end-stage COPD, heart failure, those with severe muscle weakness, or who have had a stroke.
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Dyspnea refers to difficulty breathing, which can be distressing for both patients and caregivers.
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Edema is swelling that occurs due to fluid buildup, commonly affecting the legs, feet, or hands. It can develop in individuals with conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, or lymphedema.
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Anorexia refers to a loss of appetite, which can cause weight loss and reduced energy.
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Nausea and vomiting in hospice patients can be caused by constipation, medication side effects (especially opioids), stomach problems like acid reflux or slow digestion, infections, or an electrolyte imbalance.
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Physical pain management is more than relieving discomfort; it’s about ensuring your loved one feels at ease and improving their quality of life. The right balance of medication and supportive care helps maintain their comfort.
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Pressure ulcers or bedsores occur when prolonged immobility damages the skin and underlying tissue.
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Pruritus is persistent itching, which can result from medication side effects (i.e., opioids or antibiotics), dry skin, or underlying conditions including cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney failure, and neuropathy.
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Terminal restlessness involves agitation or discomfort in the final stages of life.
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Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is common in hospice care and can happen due to weak pelvic muscles, nerve issues, or an overactive bladder.
Grief Resources
You can’t go around grief; the only way to help yourself is to work through it. Here are some grief and bereavement resources to help you learn how to support yourself and your loved ones in times of grief.