Caregiving Resources

At Paradigm Health we respect and support that every individual’s end-of-life hospice journey is unique. As changes or a decline in your loved one’s health is recognized by their health care team and the family, hospice care may be recommended if dying is likely within 6 months. Hospice care is a more specialized care for people with terminal illnesses.  

Some hospice patients will have a gradual decline in health while others fade quickly. For friends and family members, roles are flexible but usually include being present, providing support and comfort, and reassuring their loved one will be able to maintain their comfort and dignity throughout the hospice care process. Paradigm Health hospice care focuses on the living and enriching and enhancing every day. Beyond comfort for the patient with pain relief, hospice also offers emotional and spiritual support for your loved one and family.   

Some hospice patients will have a gradual decline in health while others fade quickly. For friends and family members, roles are flexible but usually include being present, providing support and comfort, and reassuring their loved one will be able to maintain their comfort and dignity throughout the hospice care process. Paradigm Health hospice care focuses on the living and enriching and enhancing every day. Beyond comfort for the patient with pain relief, hospice also offers emotional and spiritual support for your loved one and family.  

Our caregiving team led by Paradigm Health’s board-certified medical director are experts at creating and implementing a plan of care based on goals that are unique to every individual’s hospice journey. While the below list of signs and symptoms that hospice care may be needed are often seen in patients, you or your loved one’s symptoms are specific to their own health care signs and diagnosis.

Pain
Changes in sleep patterns
Shortness of breath
Changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or body temperature
Anxiety
Decreased appetite and thirst
Less interaction or verbalization
Nausea or Vomiting
Constipation or change in bowel habits
Fatigue
Withdrawal or a drifting away from loved ones
Delirium and Restlessness
Incontinence
Cold hands and feet; skin mottling
Respiratory rattling 

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, please reach out to Paradigm Health for assistance in seeking the right support and identifying a plan of care that is unique to your needs. Our physicians, nurses and community-based hospice care team are experts in end-of-life care and can asssit in treating a patient for any symptoms they may be having and do so as quickly as possible. They have a multitude of options to assist with pain and symptom management including medications, non-pharmacological resources and emotional and spiritual support.

Terminal Restlessness
It may be noticeable that a hospice patient seems restless and not at rest. They may be making repetitive body motions or pulling at covers without accomplishing a solution. A decrease in oxygen may be the cause. Making sure to remain calm yourself, speaking softly, reading a calming passage, playing soft music, or offering a light touch may be helpful and reassuring.  

Shortness of Breath
Many hospice patients will experience changes in their normal breathing patterns. They make take more shallow breaths with longer periods of time between breaths. While sometimes unnerving, these breathing patterns are common and are most likely in response to a slower circulatory system. Remain calm and offer to shift the patient on their side, prop them up with pillows to elevate the torso, or bring comfort by a calming touch, or offering soft voice.