Friday Five: Caregiving and Hospice Care

The Friday Five is our weekly roundup of links to smart articles and helpful resources across the Web.

1. If you're interested in statistics and numbers, these Pew Research Center studies are always interesting. We found this new release on "the sandwich generation" particularly appropriate for the topics we're always discussing on our blog. We're well aware of the many individuals out there who are struggling to juggle aging parents and children.

2. Speaking of caregivers, we found quick read article with some survival tips for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimers. They're three common tips, but that doesn't make them any less important.

3. If you follow hospice and healthcare news, then you already caught this news about a Brown University study of end of life care. The researchers learned that despite an increase in the use of hospice care, there's also still huge numbers of people spending time in the ICU in the last months of life. It amazes us still that despite what we know about how most individuals would choose to die at home, so many are still being sent to the ER and intensive care units.

4. For individuals looking for some understanding about hospice services, we liked this article, "Hospice care is geared toward maintaining quality of life long before death is near." We can't agree more that hospice provides support, not only to patients, but also to family members and other loved ones. Oftentimes, hospice comes into the picture after years of caregiving and treatments, and many families find it a relief to have people to turn to with their questions, fears, and needs.

5. If you'd like to explore more about the services a hospice provides, visit the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization for a description of services, the hospice team, and answers to frequently asked questions. NHPCO can also assist you in finding a hospice in your area.