05/20/2013
There are many reasons why people with advanced demtentia might lose weight. This new information booklet for family caregivers from Palliative Care Australia discusses several reasons and offers ideas on how to support the individual. Involuntary weight loss of more than 5% of the body weight is called “cachexia”. Cachexia is common with people with
Read More05/20/2013
Many years ago there was a strong sentiment that people should not die alone, should never die alone. In the last few years, perhaps with the input from Callanan and Kelly’s book “Final Gifts” people started to consider the possibility that sometime the dying person seems to wait until everyone has gone, has left the
Read More05/15/2013
The words and tone that doctors use, and personal experiences they share affect whether or not people chose CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resusciation) to be performed if/when their loved ones heart stops. In a recent study “Some of the men and women were asked whether they wanted their family member to receive CPR, which had a 10% chance of
Read More04/30/2013
Last month I wrote about my mom dying. Mary Hughes (nurse leader extraordinaire) from PEI wrote to say that she wanted to hear my thoughts on being a daughter and a Hospice Palliative Care (HPC) nurse.. how was it easier? in what ways was it harder? I have reflected on this over the past few
Read More04/24/2013
My goal for the “Essentials in Hospice Palliative Care” resources is to develop resources that are user friendly, functional, delicious and digestible, and that increase the students’ competence, confidence and compassion in caring for the dying. How do we know if the resources are what I hope they are? And how do we improve them
Read More04/23/2013
For most residents, the Long Term Care facility will be their last home. The average length of stay in many Canadian communities is less than 18 months, in some communities it is as low as 6 momnths. We need to to integrate a palliative approach, offer symptom management, open the door to discuss difficult topics,
Read More03/19/2013
While caregiving over the past few months, my sister Barb (the Danish Viking) taught me a self care strategy that she promised would clear my brains and freshen my perspective. Off to the beach we went. With ice on the ground and towels freezing to the rocks… we went for a swim! And Barb was
Read More03/07/2013
Mom died on January 16th, two months and one week after being diagnosed with a terminal cancer. We often talked of Joanne Lynn’s phrase “the blessing of a thoroughly dismal prognosis”. She referred to that blessing almost daily. Mom described this as being the richest period of her life. She determined what she would do
Read More02/26/2013
With gratitude for those who cared for my mom, Yetta Lees Strasdine: I give thanks for the opportunity to care alongside my siblings. Thank you to our incredible spouses and dear friends who cooked for us and kept the home fires burning. As a caregiver for mom I did not cook, clean or wash dishes
Read More01/21/2013
Friend and colleagues, I am posting this obituary for my mom who died on Wednesday morning, at her home on Gabriola Island. Thanks for emails and phone messages that have arrived this week. As I am not checking facebook or blogging at this time, please do not hesitate to correspond directly with me. Warm regards,
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