25 Oct The ABC’s of Hospice Care Terminology
While hospice care has been in existence for decades, patients and their loved ones may not be familiar with the concept. Others might be familiar with only a few parts of hospice care. We understand that during this journey, you may have questions about the information you are given. Please know that the compassionate team at CarePlus Hospice wants to guide you, walk with you and offer further information so that your questions are answered. We want to help you feel comfortable with our role along this journey.
It’s easy to become confused and even frustrated with all the information you’re given about hospice care. In an effort to help you to have a better understanding of our services, we’ve created a glossary of some of the most frequently used words as they pertain to the delivery of hospice services.
At any time during this journey, when questions arise, if you don’t understand something, or if it isn’t clear to you, please do not hesitate to speak to any member of the CarePlus Hospice team. We are glad to answer your questions and help you understand this journey so you can feel more comfortable about walking it.
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A
Activities of Daily Living – also called ADLs, these are the usual everyday activities in which an individual participates routinely. ADLs can include bathing, getting dressed, grooming, eating, using the toilet, etc.
Acute Illness – an illness with a sudden onset. An acute illness is the opposite of a chronic condition that last over time.
Advance Directive – a document such as a living will or a power of attorney that details a person’s wishes and instructions about medical care for himself, should he become incapacitated or too ill to communicate those wishes or to participate in making medical decisions.
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Advance Care Planning – the process of making decisions and arrangements regarding future health care services for oneself in advance of the need for those services, in the event a person becomes incapacitated and can no longer communicate his wishes.
Aggressive Treatment – treatment including procedures and/or medication that is aimed at slowing the progression of a disease or curing it altogether.
B
Bereavement – the process of grieving and mourning, usually the death of a loved one. Because loss is so personal, bereavement can involve a variety of emotions. The ways in which bereavement is experienced and expressed vary from person to person.
C
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – The use of medications, manual means or devices to restart a patient’s heart or breathing if either or both have stopped
Caregiver – someone who provides assistance to a family member or friend. The term usually refers to the loved one of a patient who spends time with the patient and attends to his needs.
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Chronic Illness – a condition or illness that is ongoing and doesn’t fully respond to treatment
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – a chronic respiratory condition that is often characterized by poor airflow in the lungs. This condition frequently results in shortness of breath and a cough.
CNA – the acronym for Certified Nurse’s Assistant. This person plays a supporting role in providing care for a patient that doesn’t require a registered nurse or physician, such as bathing a patient, helping him with dressing, etc.
D
Dementia – a more rapid decline in a person’s cognitive functioning than what is typically due to aging
Diagnosis – a determination made by a physician regarding the name of a disease, its nature and the cause of symptoms experienced by a patient. A diagnosis is made after a patient is examined—whether by observation, lab testing or a combination of the two. A diagnosis can include a simple, curable infection such as a urinary tract infection or a complex disease such as cancer or congestive heart failure.
DNR – the acronym for a “DO NOT RESUSCITATE” order, which is a patient’s written order to health care providers that instructs them not to attempt CPR if his heart or breathing ceases. This document is requested by the patient or the patient’s representative.
E
Election of Hospice – the choice on the part of the patient or his representative to receive hospice services.
End-of-life care – clinical and comfort care and support for a patient in the last stages of a disease that is life-limiting
End-stage disease – the last phase in the course of a disease. This term is sometimes used instead of “terminal illness.”
F
Failure to thrive – a diagnosis in an elderly patient that is based on significant weight loss, decreased appetite, inadequate nutrition and an absence of physical activity
H
Hospice – a type of care—as well as a philosophy of care—that is focused on providing comfort, support, pain management, symptom management and dignity to patients with life-limiting illnesses
I
Impending death – also referred to as imminent death, this term is used when the death of a terminally-ill patient is expected very soon—often in a matter of only hours or a couple of days
Interdisciplinary team – staff members and health care workers who make up a patient’s hospice care team. This team includes members representing several disciplines working together, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, nurse’s assistants, home health aides, grief counselors and volunteers.
Ischemia – a term that refers to a lack of blood flow because of an obstruction in one or more places in the body, such as a blood clot
L
Life-sustaining treatment – also called life support, this treatment includes procedures and/or medical devices that support or nearly replace functions of the body that are necessary for life. Examples can include CPR, ventilators, breathing tubes, nutrition supplied via tubing or IV lines, kidney dialysis, etc.
Living will – a document that contains an individual’s wishes as they pertain to medical treatment at the end of his life. The living will is enacted if the patient becomes incapacitated and unable to communicate his wishes. Sometimes a living will is referred to as a “directive to physicians.”
M
Medicaid – state programs that provide health care insurance to individuals who meet specific criteria that deem them medically indigent
Medicare – the United States federal health insurance program for people who are 65 years of age or older, people younger than 65 with certain disabilities and people with end-stage renal (kidney) disease. It is divided into three sections: Part A, Part B and Part D, each section covering a different scope of medical services, treatments and equipment.
Medical Power of Attorney – a document in which an individual designates someone to make decisions about his medical care in the event he is unable to communicate. It is also called a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.” The person designated in the document is referred to as the health care proxy, agent or surrogate.
Metastatic – a term used to describe cancer that has spread from its organ (or tissue) of origin into other areas of the body
O
Occupational Therapy – treatment provided by a health care worker who is trained and licensed in working with patients to help them manage Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as feeding oneself, dressing, using the toilet, etc., following the patient’s injury, surgery or illness and sometimes in the midst of the illness
P
Palliative care – treatment of patients that is centered around lessening the pain and managing the symptoms experienced by a person with a life-limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort to the patient, rather than a cure for his illness.
Physical Therapy – treatment provided by a health care worker who is trained and licensed in helping patients to regain as much mobility, strength and independence as possible following surgery, an illness or an injury
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Power of Attorney – a document used by an individual to designate one person to act on his behalf in legal matters
Prognosis – a physician’s estimate about how a disease will progress. Diagnoses vary by patient, by illness and by the probability of being cured.
Pulmonary – relating to the lungs and lung functions
R
Renal – relating to the kidneys and kidney functions
Respite care – a term used to describe relief provided to the patient’s primary caregiver by a volunteer who stays with the patient so the caregiver can leave the house to tend to business, run an errand, etc. Most hospice agencies make arrangements for several hours of respite care each week.
Respite stay – an arrangement sometimes made by hospice—on a case-by-case basis—to provide care for a terminally-ill patient for as many as five days to provide a time of rest for the primary caregiver
S
Skilled care – nursing care usually provided at a skilled nursing facility or at a rehabilitation center. It also includes physical, occupational and speech therapy
Social worker – in hospice, a professional trained in evaluating the well-being of a patient, and in supporting a patient’s wishes. Hospice social workers help patients in managing and dealing with stress. They are also experts in finding resources available in the community that can help patients and their family members.
Speech-Language Pathologist – a professional specializing in the evaluation and treatment of patients with voice disorders, swallowing difficulties or communication disorders that can occur as a result of a stroke, neurological disease or other illness
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