Lion Hospice

Common Myths About Hospice Care

2012-08-29T20:37:52Z

There are many myths and misconceptions about hospice care among the general public. At Lion Hospice, we do our best to dispel those misconceptions, so we were glad to find this list. Check out this list of common misconceptions about hospice care, as well as the truth.

One of the main myths that we hear about hospice is that patients can only get it for six months. That is simply not true. While many American insurance companies and Medicare do require patients to have a prognosis of 6 months or less to live in order to enter a hospice program, once the patient has been admitted, he or she can receive hospice care for however long is necessary. Your hospice benefits won’t simply run out in the last days of terminal illness.

If you have questions about procuring hospice care in DFW and the Mid Cities, contact Lion Hospice today.

photo: Flickr

Great Resource on Hospice Care

2012-08-29T20:27:52Z

We often share resources for information on hospice care and terminal illness here on the blog, and we recently came across another great site we wanted to share with you.

HelpGuide.org has some great information on a number of subjects that will help your family deal with terminal illness. One particularly helpful item is Quality of Life at the End of Life. This guide to hospice and palliative care offers information on a number of topics, including legal planning, the benefits of hospice care, and how hospice care works.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and you are looking for a Dallas Fort Worth hospice organization, please give us a call today. Lion Hospice can provide care in the home, in a nursing facility, or even at a hospital, to ensure our patients are able to have the highest quality of life possible in their last days.

photo: Flickr

What NOT to Say to Someone in Hospice

2012-08-22T21:06:35Z

If someone you know has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, it can be hard to know what to say. We often feel the need to fill the silence with meaningless platitudes and cliches, but sometimes it’s more important to just be silent and present. If you’re wondering how to talk to someone in hospice care, take a look at this list of things not to say to hospice patients. Some things to avoid include:

“You’re going to a better place.” Even for people who do believe they are “going to a better place,” they might not want to be going so soon. Though this is often said with good intentions, it’s very dismissive and could be very upsetting to a terminally ill patient.
“God will never give you more than you can handle.” Once again, good intentions can end up causing a lot of hurt. Many people feel like they can’t handle the situation they are in. Rather than offering up meaningless cliches, make a point to be a good listener.

Of course, dealing with terminal illness is hard for everyone involved. If you have ever said something like this to a friend or family member, don’t beat yourself up, and allow yourself to feel the grief that is natural with these situations.

At our Dallas Fort Worth hospice organization, we are here for families dealing with terminal illness. Whether hospice services are needed in the home, hospital, or nursing facility, our team will provide the holistic care and support your family needs. Visit Lion Hospice for more information.

image: Wikipedia

Register for Fort Worth Alzheimers Walk

2012-08-22T20:30:36Z

Have you ever known someone with Alzheimer’s Disease? It’s likely that even if your family has not had to deal with this debilitating illness, you know someone who has. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 5.4 million Americans, and is also the sixth leading cause of death in this country.

While there is, unfortunately, no known cure for the illness, researchers and activists have not given up hope. You can join them in raising money for Alzheimer’s research, as well as programs to improve Alzheimer’s care for victims of the disease. To get involved just visit the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s page for the North Central Texas chapter.

There is a Fort Worth team meeting coming up this Saturday, so make plans to attend. This is a great way to bring awareness to the issue, raise money for a good cause, and even make some great new friends.

Here at Lion Hospice, we provide DFW hospice care for many elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, and we know the toll it takes on both the patients and their families. Have you ever done the Walk before? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

photo: Alz.org

Information and Support for Terminally Ill Patients

2012-08-17T15:38:56Z

When a diagnosis of terminal illness is received, it’s hard to know where to turn for information. Fortunately, there are many resources available to families dealing with terminal illness in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Mid Cities.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services is a great resource to start with. The department provides information and services for the elderly, disabled, terminally ill, and caregivers, and can direct you to other organizations and sources of knowledge for your particular situation. The site also includes links to a number of handy websites, including:

Your Texas Benefits- Contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for information about Medicaid benefits, nursing home care, and more.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers- Connect with local programs and services for terminally ill patients.
Search home healthcare agencies- Easily search for a DFW hospice or other home healthcare agency.

If you need help dealing with terminal illness, you can also call us at Lion Hospice. We are here to help you with hospice care in a variety of settings, as well as holistic care for mind, body, and spirit.

photo: Walt Stoneburner on Flickr