4 levels of Hospice Care
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services identifies four levels of Hospice care which can vary from a few days to several months depending on the individual needs.
The Difference Between Home Health and Hospice
Often, when patients and their family members are researching care options, they come across services like home health care and hospice. Both are popular healthcare resources that many people assume are the same things. However, they are quite different. Although both services can be provided in the home, they differ in some ways, such as [...]
Eight Signs Aging Parents Need Hospice Care
Watching our parents age presents us with a great many challenges. You may find yourself struggling to determine just what your loved ones need as they age. They may downplay their needs to avoid losing their independence or becoming a burden. It is often hard for people to ask for help. Sometimes, the hardest truths [...]
Easy Ways to Prevent Dehydration
Home Health and Hospice patients are prone to dehydration. Let's explore why that is and the problems that dehydration may cause. You will learn how to recognize signs of dehydration. Then provided below are tips for ensuring your loved one gets enough liquids. Dehyrdation at the end of life will also be discussed. Is your [...]
Webisode #1 – What is Hospice?
Dr. Emmitt Manley touches on the importance of hospice and planning early for end of life care. He also touches on his own personal experience with hospice.
When Should Hospice Be Considered?
Hospice services are often not thought about until very late in the course of an illness. At Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice we often hear the families of our patients say things like, "We wish we would have called you months ago!" Too often families shy away from even considering the Hospice choice even [...]
Terminal Agitation or Restlessness as Death Approaches
Our team at Smoky Mountain Hospice is here to help. Your loved one on Hospice may experience what is known as "Terminal Agitation" or "Terminal Restlessness" as end of life approaches. Not all patients will experience this- but we want you to understand what it is and how we can work together to deal with it [...]
Hospice Q&A: Facts You May Not Know
Dr. Dustin Clark, an Emergency Medicine specialist from Johnson City, is one of the medical directors at Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice. He took some time with us to answer important questions and provide valuable information about hospice care. What is the difference between curative care and palliative or comfort care? “A lot [...]
Planning for Hospice Care
A terminal disease or chronic illness, either in our own life or in the life of a family member, is something most of us will face at some point. These situations can prompt us to think about our own mortality and how we want to be treated if we have to deal with a disease [...]
