Volunteers are an essential part of a hospice team, participating in roles from directly interacting with patients to helping with fundraising efforts. Hospice volunteers often describe their work as purposeful, validating, and meaningful. Hospice volunteers are at the heart of every hospice operation and are valued greatly. How Hospice Volunteers Serve Supporting Patients This is […]
Did you know? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer, raising funding for research into the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of breast cancer, and providing information and support for those with breast cancer or for those who may be at risk for breast […]
The death of a loved one is a hard reality to grasp. Often, it can feel like a bad dream that you just can’t wake up from. Although you may know that your loved one is very sick or in the process of dying, the unavoidability of dying always feels sudden, unforeseen and unbelievable. It’s […]
Your loved one can no longer do the many tasks they once could. They now depend on you for many of these things. The easiest solution may be to simply take over and make decision, but it’s important to be respectful of your loved ones. As a caregiver, you want to protect your loved one’s […]
Grieving for loved ones who are experiencing a life-limiting illness is natural for families and friends. This process can often begin before death occurs. Hospice of North Alabama Bereavement Services are available for those who are coping with losing a loved one. Our staff is committed to working closely with families who are working through […]
Today we celebrate Respect for the Aged Day. This holiday, known in Japan as “Keiro no Hi,” was originally created to celebrate and honor the elderly in Japan. Over time the holiday gained worldwide recognition and became a national holiday in 1966. Since 2003, Respect for the Aged Day has been celebrated on the third […]
Life-Limiting Illnesses – When to call hospice A life-limiting illness is an incurable chronic disease or condition that no longer respond to curative treatments. Examples of a life-limiting illness include: Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia Stroke ALS Parkinson’s Disease Heart Disease Pulmonary Disease Liver Disease End-stage Renal Disease AIDS Cancer A life limiting illness, coupled with […]
Let yourself grieve. It’s important to let yourself take this roller coaster ride and feel your emotions rather than suppress them. No matter how hard you try to bury those feelings of grief, they will continue to resurface, and you won’t be able to truly move on. Start the healing process by giving into grief. […]
Journaling while grieving can help you document and process the feelings of grief you are experiencing. As you begin the healing process and reconnecting with who you once were, you may start thinking about or telling yourself things you would want to record. Putting these thoughts and feelings into words can be very beneficial and […]
Serving as a hospice volunteer can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Many feel led to volunteer after a personal experience with hospice for a loved one, although a personal experience is not required. Whether you are looking to provide direct care or indirect care for our patients at Hospice of North Alabama, your time as […]
