Friday Five Thinks About End of Life Care

The Friday Five is our weekly roundup of links to smart articles and helpful resources for family caregivers or individuals interested in learning more about hospice care and the end of life process.

1. We're always happy to see when a hospice worker is recognized for their efforts in assisting patients and families during the dying process. This article from the Clifton Journal on northjersey.com, "A song for some unsung hospice heroes" was a beautifully written piece about a Clifton, NJ hospice. If you're unfamiliar with hospice care, articles such as these can help inform you about the type of care a hospice can provide you, as a patient or as a loved one.

2. Hospice professionals have probably already come across this article, "With boomers coming, hospice industry diversifies." It's been making the rounds of newspapers around the country, and speculates a little on how baby boomers will change end of life care. Hospices need to be prepared to care for this large, aging population. For that matter, we think the boomers will change the issues of aging, elder care, and the greater healthcare industry.

3. We know that terminally ill individuals experience a more positive dying experience with hospice care, but it always helps to see a study support that knowledge. "More visits from hospice may allow death at home" helps summarize a recent study that looked at where people wanted to die (3/4 of people said home) and the factors that influenced their chances of dying at home.

4. Government regulations, insurance fine print, and the variety of community resources can be difficult for anyone to navigate. If you're a family caregiver, learn what benefits are available to your loved one by using BenefitsCheckUp. It's a free service that comes from the National Council on Aging, and will help you find benefits that can save you money and help cover the cost of everyday expenses, including healthcare, medications, food, utilities, and more.

5. Don't be afraid to seek support from other individuals who are going through a similar experience as you. Our sponsored site, Living with Serious Illness, offers a great list of online support group topics. Online groups can be very helpful for those with a busy schedule and are looking for support with flexible time.