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Blog: Stories and Insight

A Caregiver’s Guide



When you become a caregiver, there can be a lot to learn. As a regional leader for palliative medicine and hospice care, Samaritan aims to be a resource for you and your family.

In 2019, thousands of caregivers looked to Samaritan for information and advice. Here are the top 10 most read blog articles from 2019.

Got questions about being a caregiver? Call us 24 hours a day for free help: (800) 228-8183

Top 10 Resources for Caregivers

1. The Caregiver’s Guide to Preparing for End Stage Dementia

Dementia can be tough on the individual, family, and caregivers. Each person’s journey can be different, but there are some signs that can be used to recognize when a loved one is nearing the end-stage of the disease.

Gain valuable insight on the length of end stage dementia, when hospice should be called in, and much more.

Click for the full article: End Stage Dementia

 

 

2. How to Recognize End-Stage COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD is not an easily predictable illness, but there are signs that can indicate a person with COPD is nearing end of life.

Click for the full article: COPD at the End of Life & What to Expect

 

 

3. End-Stage Kidney Disease

People with kidney disease can survive for a long time and enjoy a good quality of life, with the right supports. There are also severe cases in which the kidney disease as progressed to kidney failure. This is known as end-stage kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. While there is no cure for end-stage kidney disease, people can live well for months or years with the right treatment and supports.

Click for the full article: End-Stage Kidney Disease: What is It & What to Expect

 

4. End-of-Life Signs, Changes, & Symptoms: What to Expect

When a loved one is terminally ill, family caregivers often have questions and concerns about what changes will happen at the end of life. Knowing what to expect – and what you can do to help – can ease your worries as you navigate this difficult time. Most important: just being present with your loved is often the most valuable action you can take.

Click for the full article: End-of-Life Signs, Changes, & Symptoms: What to Expect

 

5. Gift Ideas for Hospice Patients

When someone dear is dealing with a life-threatening illness you want to give them love and support. But you may also wish to give them something to show you care and enhance their comfort. Here at Samaritan, we have seen many types of gifts for hospice patients. Gifts fall in types of categories such as sentimental, comforting and more.

 

Click for the full article: Gift Ideas for Hospice Patients

 

6. End Stage Multiple Sclerosis: What to Expect

Multipole Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable that can present itself differently to each individual. The illness is not typically fatal, but symptoms from MS can worsen and cause various disabilities.

 

Click for the full article: Multiple Sclerosis Final Stages

 

7. Palliative Care Brings Comfort

A myth of palliative medicine is that it means dying, stopping care, or giving up. Palliative medicine serves to care for people with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. This form of care can help patients stay on track with their healthcare goals. Palliative care is treats the whole person. The combination of pain and symptom management with emotional and spiritual support strives to address all needs that an individual might have.

Click for the full article: Does Palliative Care Mean Dying?

8. A Caregiver’s Guide to Feeding a Hospice Patient

Eating is a form of pleasure and provides sustenance for our bodies. As loved ones near the end of life or face a serious illness difficulty eating and drinking can occur. They may need your help with both the physical and emotional complexity that comes with end of life nutrition.

 

Click for the full article: What Can a Hospice Patient Eat and Drink?

 

9. Congestive Heart Failure and Hospice Care

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) occurs when heart failure, when the heart does not pump enough blood to your body, results in fluid in the lungs. Having a strong team around you can help manage the symptoms of this disease.

 

Click for the full article: Congestive Heart Failure and Hospice Care

 

10. The Caregiver’s Guide to Hospice Medication

A caregiver’s primary goal is to increase their loved ones comfort and enhance their quality of life. Hospice provides a full team of experts, spiritual support, and more to accomplish and support this goal. Providing medication can be a vital part of relieving common end of life symptoms.

 

Click for the full article: Common Hospice Medications – What Are They?

Samaritan is dedicated to providing comfort and dignity for your loved one living with serious illness from as early as the day of diagnosis through the end of life. You’re not giving up on your loved one. When you call Samaritan, you’re getting help. We are here for you 24 hours a day/7 days a week with a dedicated on-call staff.

To get help or to speak to a representative about why Samaritan may be the right choice for you or your loved one, please call (856) 596-1600.