Voices of Care Blog

Nurse and Patient: When Lives Intersect

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Patricia Ahern, RN, MBA, FACHE in Hospice, Hospice careers

In the early ‘80’s I was absolutely convinced that the only thing standing between life and death was me: the trusty, capable and ever-vigilant bedside nurse in the critical care unit (CCU). I was like a sharp shooter with all the equipment – fearless and cocky, as only a rookie critical care nurse can be. People called us angels in the CCU because of the intensity of care and high-wire between life and death. ...

Shared Stories Bring Meaning, Joy at End of Life

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Trudy Miller, RN, CHPN in Hospice, Hospice careers

I love meeting people, and my job as a hospice nurse connects me with people from all walks of life, in the final stages of life. I have learned that every single hospice patient has a story. Although the stories can be vastly different, at the end of life, there is joy in the stories of a life well lived. ...

Brightening Hospice Patients' Days

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Bob Hagopian, M.Div. in Hospice

Recently, during Patient Experience Week, Care Dimensions provided carnations for clinical staff members to deliver to patients on our hospice service. My patients loved receiving the beautiful flowers, which helped bring spring into their lives after a long, cold winter. ...

Managing Advanced Heart Disease at Home

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Melanie Parks, RN, BSN in Hospice

February is American Heart Month. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5.8 million people in the U.S. suffer from heart failure, and 20 percent of them can die within one year of diagnosis. Despite these daunting statistics, there are several ways for people living with advanced heart disease to improve their quality of life and better manage their symptoms.One of our patients, Sophia, is an excellent example of someone whose life has greatly improved through a specialized cardiac program for hospice patients. ...

4 Tips for Caregivers of Someone with a Serious Illness

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Judy Driscoll in Caregiving, Hospice

Caregiving is my 24/7 job and it can be exhausting. It requires a lot of work, patience, and assistance. In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, I’d like to share four tips to help others who are caring for someone with a serious illness. ...

Hospitality: Cultivating Inclusion in Spiritual Care

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Rona Tyndall, M.Div. in Hospice

Our spiritual self is the part of each individual that is unique, the innermost part of each of us that searches for meaning. As life draws to a close and grief is woven into the fabric of our days, that search for meaning becomes increasingly urgent. Hence, dying and grieving are every bit as much spiritual events as they are medical events. People are created to love and to help each other. The chaplain’s question, “How is your spirit?” is an invitation to spiritual companionship with our patients as they search their lives for meaning. ...

‘Do Your Job’ Takes on Special Meaning for Ipswich Man

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Lisa Conti in Hospice

For Ipswich native and New England Patriots fan Steve Brown, “Do your job” is more than a popular phrase; it’s a philosophy to which he has subscribed through five bouts of cancer over 32 years. For his entire adult life, Steve did whatever it took to provide for his family. The adversity started early, but like a true Patriot, he met it head-on every time. ...

Hospice Nurses Make 'Regular Day' Special for Patients

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Patricia Ahern, RN, MBA, FACHE in Hospice, Hospice careers

Hospice nurses bring comfort to patients at end of life. I recently got to accompany two of our hospice nurses on patient visits at long-term care facilities. It was a great morning. ...

Everyday Miracles in Hospice: Keeping Vigil, Telling Our Stories

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Jennifer Stuart, M.Div, LICSW in Hospice

Sometimes a chaplain's gentle touch can make a connection with a hospice patient As a hospice chaplain, I hear the most amazing life stories that transport us into a vivid history. One never knows where these visits will carry us. ...

Happily Ever After: Even Death Couldn't End This Love Story

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Lisa Conti in Hospice, Kaplan Family Hospice House

Gene and Helen Galipeau may have lived the consummate love story of their generation. Both born in 1924, they met and fell in love during World War II. That love grew during nearly 72 years of marriage and culminated in ultimate devotion to each other during their final day on Earth. ...

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Since 1978, Care Dimensions, formerly Hospice of the North Shore, has provided comprehensive and compassionate care for individuals and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. As the non-profit leader in advanced illness care, we offer services in over 100 communities in Massachusetts.

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