One of the great things about palliative and hospice care is that it really focuses on making sure caregivers and families have the resources they need to cope with their loved one’s illness.
Here are a few resources that might be helpful to you. If you need more, just ask your care team!
Guide to Hospice Care
An online version of the handbook that is given to each family at the time of admission. CLICK HERE to read.
Practical Skills for Caregivers
Online Articles — helpful information for the whole family
Simple Facts About the Control of Pain — the basics you need to know
Decisions About Artificial Foods and Fluids — coping with lack of appetite
When Death Nears: Signs and Symptoms — what to expect as the end nears
Talking to Children and Teens About Illness or Death — a guide to helping the youngest family members
Understanding Grief — Helpful information from our grief specialists
Anticipatory Grief — Dealing with the emotions of serious illness
Saying Goodbye — Preparing yourself and your family for a final parting
Other Articles of Interest
Talking to Your Kids About Your Terminal Illness a Guide for Parents by Amanda Menard, LPN
Caregiving: A Burden So Heavy, Until It’s Gone by Margaret Renkl, August 8, 2015, The New York Times
Hospice: What is it and when is it for you?, July 26, 2015, CNN,
This is how you feed a dying person, September 10, 2015, Huffington Post
Websites
Center for Practical Bioethics www.practicalbioethics.org — A Kansas City based not-for-profit that raises and responds to ethical issues in health care, offering resources for making end-of-life decisions, help for conversations with your loved ones, and forms to download for health care directives and durable power of attorney.
Get Palliative Care www.getpalliativecare.org — A site to provide consumers with information about palliative care for people with serious illness.
Turning Point www.turningpointkc.org — A center offering comprehensive programming to address the psychological, social, emotional and physical needs that come with a serious or chronic illness.
Cancer Action www.canceractionkc.org — A Kansas City not-for-profit dedicated to providing comfort and practical assistance for those living with, through and beyond cancer.
Missouri Hospice & Palliative Care Organization www.mohospice.org — Information and resources about hospice and palliative care in Missouri.
GiveForward www.giveforward.com — Empower friends and family to send love and financial support to people as they face a medical crisis. Create a page to spread hope and contribute to a loved one’s out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Care Pages www.carepages.com — Free personal, private web pages to help family and friends communicate during a serious illness.
Caring Bridge www.caringbridge.org — Offers protected websites for connecting people when it matters most. Extensive privacy setting.
Mesothelioma www.mesotheliomaguide.com/community/caregivers/ — General information helpful to caregivers.
