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Blunting the Tool of Anger
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When the ER physician suggested Patricia might be dying,
the patient’s granddaughter, Tiffany, took offense. Patricia was 87 years old and had been slowing down over the past six months. She had experienced diminished appetite and lost interest in living. She presented to the emergency department for evaluation and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Patricia seemed to be nearing the end of life, yet she had no significant medical problems. Her daughter, Sandy, looked after her, concerned about how much she should be doing to help her mom. Patricia sick? This was new to Sandy. Nevertheless, due to age and the doctor’s diagnosis, it was important for the ED physician to inquire about whether Patricia had a living will or advance directive in place prior to hospital
admission. If need be, would Patricia be placed on a ventilator? Would CPR be initiated if her heart stopped?
Tiffany believed this type of conversation was out of bounds for Patricia to hear. She wanted to take it outside and verbally brawl with the
physician in the hallway. Sandy listened to both sides of the argument and did more listening than speaking. The resolution: Tiffany and Sandy agreed to wait and see if Patricia needed resuscitation. She would be a "full code resuscitation" until cooler heads prevailed.
If finding yourself in a similar situation, these four tips may help blunt the defense mechanism of anger.
Home Based Palliative Care Gaining Popularity
This article provides a concise description of home-based palliative care and its benefits to patients and caregivers. I particularly like the phrase:
Palliative is the low-tech, high-touch opportunity to learn what the patient wants and needs.
As noted, the initiative has shown promising results, including:
• 38% decrease in inpatient stays
• 52% decrease in emergency department visits
• 35% decrease in total cost of care
• 46%
fewer specialty care visits
Is Palliative Care Right For YOU?
by Kevin J. Haselhorst, MD The key to making medical decisions is understanding palliative care:
Palliative Care is the
bridge between
advance care and end-of-life
care.
When you no longer have your health,
how will you spend your time and money?
Is quality of life more important than
staying alive at any cost?
This booklet will teach you: - What palliative care means in practical terms
- The value of making your own medical decisions
- How to gain peace of mind with chronic
illness
Command respect during your next doctor visit by saying, "I receive palliative care."
Learn more at KevinHaselhorst.com
A Sense of Humor Promotes Healing
It seems everyone is talking about pickleball. In a chance meeting with President Obama, one of my friends advised the retired POTUS to play pickleball and practice Bikram Yoga. I’ve practiced a modified version of Bikram Yoga (Sumits Yoga) for years, but I decided to try playing pickle ball with a coworker a couple of weeks ago. In a twist of fate, I sprained my big toe during the initial match.
I hobbled my way through the three-hour session and paid the price the next day. Jokingly, I told my friend that playing pickleball destroyed my ability to practice yoga. My zen life was over. Being a physician, it’s often good practice to experience the process of healing first-hand and the art of medicine by laughing at oneself.
June 8, 2017 at 10 am (NEW DATE) "Advanced Care Planning Before ER
Visits" Silverado Peoria | Memory Care Community 13391 North 94th Drive, Peoria, AZ 85381
September 6-9, 2017
"Conversations Matter Most in the
Emergency
Department"
Advance Care Planning and
End-of-Life Care Conference
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Banff, Alberta, Canada
#TributeTuesday
Share a tribute to a loved one who has died, or to mark the anniversary of their death.
From May 30th: #TributeTuesday: Remembering those who paid the ultimate price with THANKS!
#WishfulWednesdayHave a wish for the weekend? Post your plan on Wednesday. Practice expressing end-of-life wishes during the prime of life.
From May 24th: #WishfulWednesday: Atul Gawande writes there are three kinds of doctors – paternalistic, informational, and collaborative. Your choice?
How to Approach Living While
Dying
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“Living while dying” is
a new concept for most people. It’s also the name of a new film that’s being released by my friend, Cathy Zheutlin. Cathy asked me to be an advisor on the project. My opinion, like your opinion, matters in life and death.
As Cathy explores the reality of her loved ones facing death, she turns the camera
around and looks at herself.
How will she approach living while dying?
The end result of the film is to have viewers ponder and pick their own rite of passage.
Cathy Zheutlin, the creator of the film, Living While Dying, shared she is "feeling blessed beyond the beyond by your
generosity, kindness, and support as we learn how to change our consciousness here on earth in love school."
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