We have compiled a library of instructional sheets from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) to help you in caring for your loved one. You may always ask your hospice care team nurse and/or aide for more information or to help instruct you in specific techniques for caring for your loved one during one of your visits.
You may also find additional helpful information on our blog and our LifeCare Answers video library.
Remember, we’re here for you.
RESTLESSNESS
This instruction sheet identifies signs of restlessness, discusses what can be done to manage it and what information you need to report to your hospice care team.
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TROUBLE BREATHING
This instruction sheet defines shortness of breath, identifies when you should seek advice about it, and discusses what can be done to manage shortness of breath.
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FATIGUE
This instructional sheet explains fatigue, identifies signs and symptoms, discusses what can be done to manage fatigue, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
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PAIN
This instructional sheet provides information about pain, discusses what can be done to manage pain, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
Download English Download SpanishThis instruction sheet provides information about recognizing signs someone may be in pain when they are unable to communicate verbally.
Download English Download SpanishThis instruction sheet provides information about opioids and myths surrounding its use.
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CONSTIPATION
This instructional sheet explains constipation, what can be done for it, and what you should report to your hospice care team.
Download English Download SpanishThis instruction sheet defines constipation, identifies the signs and symptoms, and provides information about prevention and treatment options.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet provides information about the signs and symptoms of constipation, discusses what can be done for constipation due to opioids, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
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INCONTINENCE – BLADDER AND BOWEL
This instructional sheet explains bladder incontinence, discusses what can be done to control it and what can be done to prevent odor and skin irritation, as well as what you need to discuss with your hospice care team about bladder incontinence.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet explains bowel incontinence, identifies signs and symptoms, discusses what can be done for bowel incontinence, and what you should report to your hospice care team.
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NAUSEA AND VOMITING
This instructional sheet provides information about what can be done for nausea and vomiting, and what you should report to your hospice care team.
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SKIN CARE
This instruction sheets explains why skin care is important, how you can keep skin healthy, discusses what can be done to prevent damage, and what you should to report to your care team about skin issues.
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EDEMA (SWELLING)
This instructions sheet provides information about what causes edema, identifies signs and symptoms, discusses what to do to prevent and treat it, and what information you need to report to the hospice care team.
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NUTRITION AND FLUIDS
This information sheet defines nutrition and hydration, discusses things you can do to help, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
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SEIZURES
This instruction sheets defines seizures, identifies signs and symptoms of seizures, discusses what can be done for the person having the seizure and what information you need to report to your hospice care team.
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BLEEDING
This instructional sheet provides information about what causes bleeding at end of life, identifies signs of bleeding, discusses what can be done for bleeding, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
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DISTRESS AND ANXIETY
This instruction sheets explain spiritual distress, identifies signs and symptoms, discusses what can be done to manage spiritual distress, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet defines psychological distress, identifies signs and symptoms of psychological distress, discusses what can be done to reduce distress, and what to report to your hospice care team.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet provides information about the symptoms of anxiety, discusses what can be done to manage it, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
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DYING PROCESS AND COMMUNICATING WITH LOVED ONE
This instructional sheet provides information about the signs that a person is near death, discusses what can be done to relieve symptoms and provide comfort, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet provides information about talking with someone who is dying to provide emotional support.
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HIV/AIDS
This instructional sheet defines HIV/AIDS, shares signs and symptoms of the disease, what can be done, and what you need to report to your hospice care team.
To find out more about HIV/AIDS and hospice care, read our blog: 5 Ways We Provide Hospice Care for AIDS and HIV Patients
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DEMENTIA
This instruction sheet outlines signs and symptoms of dementia, discusses what you can do and how you can support the family.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare offers Memory Partners, a program to support family caregivers of loved ones living with dementia. Click here to find out more about the program and/or talk to your care team to receive more information.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet provides information about dementia, identifies signs and symptoms, and what you need to report to the hospice care team.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare offers Memory Partners, a program to support family caregivers of loved ones living with dementia. Click here to find out more about the program and/or talk to your care team to receive more information.
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GRIEF AND MOURNING – ADULTS AND CHILDREN
This information sheet provides information about grief and mourning, discusses what can be expected and what can be done to help the healing process, and when to seek help for grief and mourning.
Remember, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is here for you to provide grief care as you and your family cope with the death of someone special and important in your life. Let your hospice care team know if you are experiencing anticipatory grief (occurs before the actual death). After the death of a loved one, we offer individual and group counseling to help in your healing process. To find out more about receiving grief care, call 910.796.7900.
Read our blogs:
How Can I Get Hospice Grief Counseling?
Everyone Should Know How to Prepare for the Death of a Parent
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet provides information about how death affects children, signs and symptoms of grieving/mourning in children, what to do to help an infant or toddler feel secure, visiting the dying and attending funerals, and what to report to your hospice care team.
Remember, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is here for you to provide grief care as you and your family cope with the death of someone special and important in your life. Let your hospice care team know if you are experiencing anticipatory grief (occurs before the actual death). After the death of a loved one, we offer counseling to help the healing process. To find out more about grief care opportunities for children, call 910.796.7900.
Download EnglishThis instructional sheet provides information about how death affects children, signs and symptoms of grieving/mourning in children, what to do to help a preschool child (ages 3-5) feel secure, visiting the dying and attending funerals, and what to report to your hospice care team.
Remember, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is here for you to provide grief care as you and your family cope with the death of someone special and important in your life. Let your hospice care team know if you are experiencing anticipatory grief (occurs before the actual death). After the death of a loved one, we offer counseling to help the healing process. To find out more about grief care opportunities for children, call 910.796.7900.
Download EnglishThis instructional sheet provides information about how death affects children, signs and symptoms of grieving/mourning in children, what to do to help school-aged children (ages 6-9) feel secure, visiting the dying and attending funerals, and what to report to your hospice care team.
Remember, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is here for you to provide grief care as you and your family cope with the death of someone special and important in your life. Let your hospice care team know if you are experiencing anticipatory grief (occurs before the actual death). After the death of a loved one, we offer counseling to help the healing process. To find out more about grief care opportunities for children, call 910.796.7900.
Download EnglishThis instructional sheet provides information about how death affects children, signs and symptoms of grieving/mourning in children, what to do to help pre-teens and teens (ages 10 and above) feel secure, visiting the dying and attending funerals, and what to report to your hospice care team.
Remember, Lower Cape Fear Lifecare is here for you to provide grief care as you and your family cope with the death of someone special and important in your life. Let your hospice care team know if you are experiencing anticipatory grief (occurs before the actual death). After the death of a loved one, we offer counseling to help the healing process. To find out more about grief care opportunities for children, call 910.796.7900.
Read our blog: 20 Ways to Help a Grieving Child
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COMPARISON OF CARE TYPES
This instruction sheet presents a side-by-side comparison of Home Care, Home Palliative Care, and Home Hospice Care to help identify which services are covered by what type of insurance.
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HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
This instructional sheet defines hospice and palliative care and what these care teams do.
To learn more about hospice care, read our blogs:
Comfort Care or Hospice Care? Is There a Difference?
Hospice Care at Home – What You Should Expect
10 Important Truths About Hospice Care You Need to Know for Improved Quality of Life
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Our Hospice Care Centers
To learn more about palliative care, read our blog: Does Your Loved One Qualify for Palliative Care? A Checklist
To find out more about hospice care, the hospice care team, the benefits of care, and how it is paid for, visit our video library LifeCare Answers.
Download English Download SpanishThis instructional sheet defines the role of hospice care for those residing in a nursing home, discusses what services are provided, and how care is paid for.
To learn more about receiving hospice care in a nursing home, read our blog: Can You Receive Hospice Care in a Nursing Home?
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