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Some Notes Regarding Hospice Care Bellevue WA Residents May Be Interested In

By Anna Kennedy


Compared to a hospital, a hospice provides broader patient care, particularly for individuals with long term disease conditions. Hospices are there to meet the needs of the individual in terms of their emotion, spirituality and more importantly, ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible. Hospitals may not be able to provide such wholesome care because the atmosphere itself could be lonely for the patient as they may lack somebody to identify with. Most patients in hospitals are able to be restored back to health, leaving those with terminal conditions alone and devastated. There are several things on hospice care Bellevue WA residents need to know.

Among the commonest conditions that call for care in a nursing home is advanced cancer. This when the tumor has spread widely from the primary origin to involve multiple organs in the body. It is almost impossible to get rid of such tumors and still keep the patient in their right shape and function. Such individuals are usually started on palliative treatment.

Among the commonly used pain medications are opioids particularly those that fall under the strong class. Examples include drugs such as fentanyl, pethidine and morphine. In as much as they provide effective pain relief, they should be used with caution because of the numerous side effects associated with them. One of the worrying side effects is depression of the respiratory system.

Apart from managing pain, there are other physical needs that need to be met depending on how advanced the disease. Some patients may require assisted feeding if they are not able to feed on their own, for one reason or another. A tube may have to be inserted all the way to the stomach, from the mouth or the nose to act as a conduit for food material. Difficulties in feeding could be because the muscles are paralyzed or there is a tumor that is blocking the flow of food material.

In malabsorption syndromes, the patient may require long term parenteral feeding. Parenteral nutrition means that special feeds are given through superficial veins on the surface of the skin to reach the blood system. Such veins are accessed through cannulation. The cannulas need be changed regularly to ensure minimize the chances of infection and also to prevent to prevent blockage by clots.

Another common physical problem experienced by patients on palliative treatment is skin sores sustained as a result of prolonged pressure. In this regard, nurses are required to be vigilant in turning over the individual every so often. In addition, patient diapers should be changed as soon as they are soiled. The skin is kept dry and supple by applying special powder, especially on pressure areas such as the back, buttocks, face and the sides of the body.

To meet spiritual needs, clergy men are available in hospices to give hope to patients. They can read inspiring verses to them, sing to them as well as pray for them. This encourages the patients to live every single day with hope and cheer on their faces even in the midst of a storm.

In conclusion, hospice care aims at providing palliation to patients with long term illnesses. It is largely composed of doctors, nurses, clergy men as well as family to ensure wholesome treatment is given to the individual. The clinical team should be available twenty four hours every single day to keep the patient in the most comfortable position physically.




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