Imagine you are sitting with a beloved family member who has only a few days or a few hours left
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Why hospice social workers should attend deaths
Most of the deaths we attend don’t require the services of a social worker. But sometimes people do need good secular counseling following a death. That’s why we should be there, holding space, calling the funeral home, and being supportive. There may be a profound emotional need we can support.
Continue reading »How to choose a good hospice (whether you’re looking for a job or signing up a relative)
Hospices are not all equally well run. This article begins a discussion about the qualities that make a hospice a better work situation for employees and service provider for patients.
Continue reading »Anger in hospice: How you can respond effectively
As a hospice social worker, you need to be able to respond well to anger. There are many reasons why hospice patients or families may experience anger, and therefore, helping to resolve anger is an essential part of end-of-life comfort care.
Continue reading »When hospice nurses get anxious about patient care
Hospice social workers are surrounded by emotionally vulnerable people, and this includes our colleagues. It may not be part of
Continue reading »How hospice social work changes you
Working as a hospice social worker has transformed me from a normal human being into something else. I was once
Continue reading »Five misconceptions about reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation in hospice
Many who work in hospice do not know how reporting abuse works. Do you? Here are 5 common misconceptions.
Continue reading »Love, freedom, and the social worker’s battle against burnout
How a social worker began the day burnt out and ended the day with hope and energy. It’s all about love!
Continue reading »You can be a resilient hospice social worker
My spouse’s back has been hurting her. My two youngest kids are down in the dumps with colds. It’s a
Continue reading »Interacting with non-verbal patients as a hospice social worker
Now that we’ve discussed how to respond when people don’t stop talking, I thought it’s a good time to discuss
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