Helps Families; Eases Staff workload. Your Staff will notice the difference! Simply the best booklet to guide families through the ups and downs of the entire end-of-life caregiving experience, or your money back.
Covers the hospice concept, services, caregiving challenges, pain control, food & fluid issues, as well as full coverage of the dying process.
How (and why) to use A Different Season
with every family you admit:
At Admission/ Orienting to Comfort Care (Pages 1-4)
For some families, the admission process can be an overload of both information and feelings. The small format and gentle wording can help families understand their new care team, the hospice philosophy, as well as some of the mixed feelings they are experiencing. Having the message delivered by a knowledgeable RN author effectively repeats and reinforces what your staff is teaching. Caregivers feel more confident.
Caregivers facing end-of-life care – especially for the first time (Pages 5-11)
This section affirms and encourages the new caregiver and begins with a quote, “ I didn’t know I’d be able to do it, but I did.” It simplifies the care plan to “Will this action promote comfort and relaxation for my loved one?” Family caregivers feel affirmed in transitioning to comfort care as well as encouraged to address their own self-care. And, the caregiver knows what to say to newly arrived family members who say, “Why Hospice!?”
When Food, Fluids, Patient changes become a family issue (Pages 12-14)
The sections on Food and Fluids have received the most praise from clinical staff. Caregivers who have read the sections already are less surprised and disturbed when their loved one can’t eat, or swallow well. Your staff’s teaching is reinforced. And the families can hand the booklet around to other family members, instead of calling your nurses again…
Caregivers who think they should withhold pain medications “till he really needs it.” (Pages 18-22)
The section on pain medications is simply and clearly written, but is a thorough overview of long-acting vs. short acting; scheduled vs prn. Your staff can refer the families to these pages to review. Families often learn better seeing (reading) and hearing information. Try these sections with your caregivers!
When the dying process begins – the changes to expect and what they mean (Pages 26-29)
From the early changes of appetite and withdrawal, to the late changes of apnea and mottling, each step is gently and clearly presented. The caregivers know what is happening and why. This can lessen caregiver anxiety and increase confidence. Your staff will see the difference.
Ideal for admission-packets, this 32-page booklet answers the questions hospice caregivers have:
◦ What is Comfort Care?
◦ Why choose Comfort Care?
◦ How does Hospice work?
◦ Is it time for Hospice?
◦ Caregiving help
◦ Food, Fluids, Swallowing
◦ Pain Control
◦ Physical Changes
◦ Unfinished Business
◦ Signs and signals in the dying process...and more.
Simply the best booklet to guide families through the ups and downs of the entire end-of-life caregiving experience, or your money back! Covers the hospice concept, services, caregiving challenges, pain control, food & fluid issues, as well as full coverage of the dying process. Use in volunteer and staff training too. This booklet can be a review for the teaching done by experienced staff – or serve as a guide for less-experienced staff. (5.5 x 8.5 booklet, 32 pages)