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
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[ebs_toggle active=”active” ocicon=”true” title=”Help someone turn in bed” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]This video will help you learn about safely turning someone in bed. Please note that Canadian standards are slight different and that we do not use a “slider.” VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Move up in bed” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn to move someone toward the head of the bed. Please note that Canadian standards are slight different and that we do not use a “slider.” VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Make a bed with someone in it” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to make a bed when someone is in it VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Moving from bed to wheelchair” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to help someone move from the bed to a wheelchair VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Giving a bed bath” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to give a bath to somone in bed VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Mouth care tips” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to keep the mouth clean and fresh VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Hair care tips” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to take care of hair VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Giving medications by mouth” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn the best way to give medications VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Suppositories” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to give medications by suppository VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Giving medication under the tongue” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to give sublingual medications VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
[ebs_toggle ocicon=”true” title=”Oxygen” icon=”glyphicon-film” icontype=”glyphicon” iconcolor=”#0092bf”]Learn how to administer oxygen VIEW VIDEO[/ebs_toggle]
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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.
