Question 1

What is hospice care?

Accepted Answer

With hospice care, the Hospice and Palliative Care of California team focuses on caring for individuals when they need it most. This care supports people with incurable, terminal conditions as they approach the end of their lives. While other medical care focuses on curing ailments, hospice care is designed to improve the person’s quality of life without directly treating the condition that’s affecting them. Hospice care steps in toward the end of a person’s life when they haven’t responded to treatments for conditions or have chosen not to move forward with treatment. It’s also ideal for aging individuals to ensure their last season of life is comfortable. Hospice care might include: Treatment to moderate symptoms, Emotional support for the individual and their family members, Medical attention to ensure the patient gets the right nutrients and exercise, Guidance to teach loved ones how to best care for the individual. The Hospice and Palliative Care of California team strives to deliver hospice care that improves the patient’s quality of life. That may mean offering special services, too, like physical therapy or care for their pet.

Question 2

Where do people get hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is a model of care rather than a specific treatment. It’s care that the team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California can bring to patients wherever they need it most. With this dedicated care, they make it possible for people to stay comfortable in their homes so they can live out their years in a place that feels familiar and safe. In fact, with hospice care, many families who were considering moving an individual to an assisted living facility find that they get the support necessary to prevent relocating their loved one. That said, hospice care isn’t just for people in their homes. The Hospice and Palliative Care of California team can meet the patient wherever they are, whether that’s an assisted living facility, a hospital, or another location.

Question 3

When should people start hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is designed to support an individual in the last phase of their life and provide help for their loved ones. Generally, people start this type of care when their life expectancy is around six months or less.

Question 4

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Accepted Answer

ALS is a rare neurological disease that affects the function of nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement such as walking, talking, and writing. These nerves are called motor neurons, and they deliver messages from the brain to the spinal cord and then on to the muscles to initiate movement and function. With ALS, the motor neurons in the brain degenerate and die, which stops the messages your muscles need to initiate movement. Over time, muscle inactivity leads to muscle weakness and atrophy (muscle wasting). ALS is progressive, which means it worsens over time. Though researchers have learned a lot about the physiology of ALS, currently there is no cure or treatment that can slow down or stop the death of the motor neurons. Though the exact cause of ALS is still under investigation, it’s theorized that the neurological disease may be linked to genetic and environmental factors. Though ALS can develop at any age, most patients develop symptoms between ages 55 and 75. ALS is also more common in men than in women.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of ALS?

Accepted Answer

Initially, ALS symptoms are subtle and may go unnoticed. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms become more obvious. Early symptoms of ALS include: Muscle twitches in the arms, legs, or shoulders, Muscle tightness, Muscle weakness, Slurred speech, Difficulty chewing or swallowing. Symptoms of ALS generally start in the hands, arms, or legs, and you may experience difficulty turning a key to unlock a door or find yourself more prone to stumbling or tripping when you walk. As the disease progresses, the affected muscles continue to weaken and atrophy, leading to more serious symptoms such as difficulty moving, eating, and forming words. Eventually, ALS affects the muscles in your respiratory system, making it more difficult to breathe.

Question 6

How is ALS treated?

Accepted Answer

The goal of ALS treatment is to alleviate symptoms and prevent serious health complications. The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California specializes in ALS supportive care and offers treatments that improve overall quality of life. Treatment for ALS may include: Prescription medication, Physical therapy, Speech therapy, Nutritional support, Respiratory support. The team develops individualized treatment plans based on your wishes.

Question 7

What is HIV?

Accepted Answer

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is an incurable disease that’s spread through bodily fluids and leads to the development of AIDS. Every day, your immune system is working hard to fight infections and disease. When you contract HIV, your body begins to attack the cells in charge of fighting these infections and your immune system becomes weak, leaving your body vulnerable to a dangerous illness or cancer.

Question 8

What are the stages of HIV?

Accepted Answer

There are three stages of HIV. Acute HIV is the first stage, during which flu-like symptoms often occur. Since large amounts of the virus are being produced in your body during the acute HIV stage, it’s extremely beneficial to begin treatment. Your risk for transmitting the disease during the acute stage is very high. The second stage of HIV is called clinical latency. During this stage, the virus is living inside you, but you experience few symptoms, if any. Although you may feel better, you’re still at a high risk of transmitting the disease. When your immune system is very weak and damaged, you’ve reached the final stage. During this stage, you have what’s called autoimmune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, which makes you extremely susceptible to disease or cancer. The life expectancy for someone who’s progressed to AIDS is approximately three years. However, current treatments significantly reduce the chance of developing AIDS. Fortunately, in the United States, most people do not progress to this stage and have a life expectancy similar to people who do not have HIV.

Question 9

Are there treatments available for HIV?

Accepted Answer

There currently is no cure for HIV. However, there are ways to manage the virus to prevent it from progressing into AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, refers to a series of medications used to treat HIV and each attacks the virus in a different way. Their primary job is to prevent the virus from growing, thus slowing the progression of HIV. Not only does ART help manage the virus, but it also reduces the risk of spreading the infection to another person. There are also medications you can take to prevent infection. If you choose to have multiple sexual partners, have unprotected sex or share drug needles, the team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California may prescribe a daily medication called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to proactively prevent infection. If you fear you’ve already been exposed to the virus, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be prescribed. In order for it to work, PEP needs to be prescribed within three days of contracting HIV.

Question 10

What is heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Heart disease refers to a host of conditions that affect the overall health of your heart. One of the most common forms of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Other types include heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmias, and heart defects you’re born with, which are called congenital heart defects. Most forms of heart disease involve the narrowing or blockage of vital blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks, chest pain, or stroke. Some heart conditions can also impact the function of your heart’s muscles, valves, or rhythm (heartbeat). Many forms of heart disease can be prevented, managed, or treated with lifestyle modifications, such as a healthier diet and exercise.

Question 11

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Common symptoms of heart disease may include: Pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest, Shortness of breath, Nausea, Fatigue, Weakness or numbness in your limbs (due to narrowed blood vessels), Neck pain, Jaw pain, Back pain. Symptoms of heart disease can be drastically different for men and women. Men are more likely to experience chest pain, while women are more likely to have symptoms like shortness of breath and severe fatigue. In many cases, people aren’t diagnosed until after a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it’s important to take any and all symptoms seriously and discuss your concerns about heart disease with the team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California.

Question 12

What causes heart disease?

Accepted Answer

One of the most common causes of heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease, is high cholesterol. With this condition, there’s an overabundance of cholesterol, a fatty substance your body uses to make certain hormones, which clogs up your arteries. Other common causes of heart disease may include: Diabetes, Smoking, Alcohol or drug abuse, Stress, Certain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure medicine, diabetes medications, and antidepressants, can also increase your risk of heart disease.

Question 13

How do you manage and treat heart disease?

Accepted Answer

The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California specializes in heart disease care and offers treatments to improve your quality of life. Managing and treating heart disease typically includes a combination of lifestyle modifications, prescribed medication, and medical procedures. In most cases, the emphasis is placed on living a healthier lifestyle. Changes such as adopting a low-fat, low-sodium diet, engaging in regular exercise, and quitting smoking can help prevent, manage, or vastly improve the severity of heart disease. This can help address root causes like high cholesterol.

Question 14

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Accepted Answer

Starting out as mild confusion and trouble remembering, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that causes the deterioration of brain cells, typically resulting in a decline in mental function and memory. After the initial phases, memory usually starts to worsen, particularly regarding short-term, recent memories. The rate of progression of memory loss varies among those with the disease. Since mild memory loss is common with increasing age, the early signs of the disease may be hard to recognize. If you’re suffering from Alzheimer’s, you may or may not be aware that conditions are changing, even while those around you can recognize the symptoms. There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, though medication and other strategies may slow or improve symptoms temporarily.

Question 15

How does Alzheimer’s affect brain function?

Accepted Answer

As the condition progresses, problems become increasingly complex, and what generally starts with memory issues spreads to other aspects of mental acuity. Memory: People affected by Alzheimer’s progress beyond simple forgetfulness. Their behavior can include: Asking questions or making statements repeatedly, without being aware of the repetition, Misplacing common objects or placing them in irrational locations, such as house keys in the refrigerator, Becoming lost in familiar locations, Forgetting names of common objects and family members. Decision making: Response to typical everyday situations becomes more difficult. The ability to follow simple cause-and-effect logic erodes, such as not knowing how to proceed when the phone rings, for example. Changes in personality: There are many possibilities for changes in behavior and personality. Some people may experience a combination of several, while others have only a few. Common effects include: Mood swings, Distrust and delusions, Depression, Irritability, Sleep pattern disruptions.

Question 16

How is Alzheimer’s treated?

Accepted Answer

Hospice and Palliative Care of California specializes in providing supportive care for Alzheimer’s patients. Your provider at Hospice and Palliative Care of California may suggest some medications to temporarily improve memory and cognitive performance. Some drugs supply chemicals that can help with cell function to replace the depleted natural neurotransmitters in the brain. The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California may also recommend antidepressants to treat behavioral symptoms, though these must be used with caution, since they may aggravate other areas of mental performance aggravated by Alzheimer’s. The same holds true for anti-anxiety medications. Providing a supportive environment is also important when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s. The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California can arrange referrals to mental health support groups to assist your efforts.

Question 17

What is a coma?

Accepted Answer

A coma is a state of unconsciousness that lasts a long period of time. It’s a serious health condition that requires immediate medical attention to identify and treat the cause of the change in consciousness in order to prevent permanent brain damage. In most cases, comas rarely last longer than 2-4 weeks. However, the longer a person remains unconscious, the greater the risk of brain damage that leads to a vegetative state or death. When a person is in a vegetative state, they may show signs of arousal without awareness.

Question 18

What causes a coma?

Accepted Answer

Many conditions and injuries may lead to a coma. Some of the most common causes include: Head injury, Drug or alcohol overdose, Seizures, Stroke, Tumors, Infections, Lack of oxygen to the brain, Exposure to toxic substances. Diabetes may also cause a coma if blood sugars are too high or too low. In most cases, people recover from being in a coma but may experience mild-to-moderate disabilities. It’s also possible to develop other health complications while unconscious, such as blood clots, bed sores, or infections.

Question 19

How is a coma treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for a coma may depend on the underlying cause and may involve various procedures to reduce pressure on the brain or medication to treat the underlying health issue responsible for the unconscious state. Nutrition support and intravenous (IV) fluid may also be provided, as well as various therapies to prevent health complications.

Question 20

When is hospice care appropriate for a coma patient?

Accepted Answer

The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California specializes in the supportive care of coma patients. Hospice care may be appropriate for coma patients who are in a vegetative state. Treatment is personalized based on each patient’s specific health needs and wishes. The options may include: Pain management, IV fluids, Nutrition support, Ongoing nursing care. The team also provides regular assessments to monitor brain function for improvements or deterioration. The team reviews the changes with the patient’s family and adjusts treatment as needed to continue to provide comfort and supportive care.

Question 21

What is pulmonary disease?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary disease, also called lung disease, is any health condition that affects lung function. Your lungs are part of your respiratory system and are responsible for inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Though there are many types of pulmonary diseases, they all affect the vital exchange of gasses needed to support life.

Question 22

What are the types of pulmonary disease?

Accepted Answer

There are three main types of pulmonary disease. These include airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases. Airway diseases: Airway problems affect the normal functioning of the tubes that allow oxygen into the lungs when you inhale. People with an airway disease experience shortness of breath and feel as though they’re breathing through a straw. Common airway diseases include asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung tissue diseases: Lung tissue conditions include inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. The tissue damage may prevent the full expansion of the lungs, which may affect the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. Pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease are types of lung tissue diseases. Lung circulation diseases: Your lungs are closely connected to your circulatory system and play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from your blood and replacing it with oxygen. Blood clots, inflammation, and scarring may affect the blood vessels in your lungs and make you feel short of breath, especially when exerting yourself. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of lung circulation disease.

Question 23

How is pulmonary disease treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for pulmonary disease depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include medications, oxygen therapy, and lifestyle modification. The goal of treatment for pulmonary disease is to prevent respiratory failure. Many pulmonary diseases worsen over time and lead to respiratory failure.

Question 24

What types of pulmonary diseases benefit from hospice care?

Accepted Answer

The compassionate team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California offers comfort care for irreversible pulmonary diseases that affect the quality of life. Some types of pulmonary diseases that benefit from hospice care include: COPD, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary fibrosis. The multidisciplinary team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California develops individualized treatment plans aimed at providing comfort and end-of-life supportive care, which may include oxygen therapy, nursing care, intravenous fluids, and pain control.

Question 25

What happens when I have a stroke?

Accepted Answer

There are two types of stroke, and 80% of the time, they happen because of blocked arteries, called ischemic strokes. These result from blood clots either in the arteries supplying the brain (thrombotic stroke), or from a clot that forms elsewhere in the body but breaks away and lodges in a narrow artery closer to your brain (embolic stroke). Hemorrhagic stroke is less common, occurring when a blood vessel in your brain ruptures, due to hypertension, aneurysms, or heavy use of blood thinners that prevent natural clotting. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs within the brain, damaging brain tissue and depriving other cells beyond the leak of fresh blood flow. Subarachnoid hemorrhage results in blood filling the space between your brain and skull, often accompanied by a severe headache that starts suddenly. A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is a temporary event that’s sometimes called a ministroke. The symptoms are similar to a regular ischemic stroke, but the effects are temporary and you don’t suffer permanent tissue damage. Even though the symptoms are short-lived, seek medical attention since there’s no way to distinguish a TIA from an ischemic stroke by symptoms alone.

Question 26

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Classic signs of stroke or TIA include: Confusion, Slurred speech or trouble understanding others’ speech, Sudden lack of coordination or trouble walking, Paralysis or weakness in an arm or leg, typically on one side of your body, Paralysis or numbness in your face, also usually on one side only, Problems with your eyesight, including blurred, lost, or double vision in one or both eyes, Sudden and severe headache that may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to get help right away.

Question 27

How is recovery managed after a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hospice and Palliative Care of California aims to provide comfort and supportive care for stroke patients. The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California may recommend rehabilitation programs that consider your overall health and the amount of disability resulting from the stroke. Your stroke recovery will be unique, and not everyone responds to therapy in the same way.

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