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 »Tag: how to do hospice social work
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 »Hospice social workers: compassionate normalizers
Hospice social workers walk lines between extremes to serve people in challenging situations. One such line is steady, normalizing empathy.
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 »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 »Hearing the silent: Why hospice social workers must listen to even non-verbal patients
The first and last lesson of people-helping is to listen. This doesn’t change when the people we serve don’t have
Continue reading »Irvin Yalom’s wisdom for hospice social workers
No discussion of counseling in hospice would be complete without an acknowledgment of the little book that has become the
Continue reading »3 keys to trusting and comfortable relationships with hospice patients
As a hospice social worker, you want to be able to create genuine and trusting relationships that encourage patients and family members to feel comfortable enough to discuss difficult topics with you.
Continue reading »Counting down to the next blog post!
Happy new year! Enjoying a brief hiatus from writing as I recover from the holiday and get started at a
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