Symptom Management
Find peace of mind by understanding what your loved one’s symptoms mean, what could be the cause and how to help. At Emmanuel Hospice, our care team is ready to assist during critical moments. Led by a medical director who is certified in hospice and palliative care medicine, our team of specialists embraces the hospice philosophy of comfort versus care.
Trouble Breathing
Defined as breathlessness, shortness of breath or the feeling of not being able to catch your breath. Also described as chest tightness, working to breathe or breathing hard.
Constipation
Constipation occurs when bowel movements are less often than usual, when a person is having increased difficulty moving their bowels or when experiencing pain/discomfort with bowel movements.
Pain
Pain can appear as restlessness, sleeplessness, discomfort, behavior changes (irritability, withdrawal), tearfulness, guarding of a body part, negative comments, moaning or calling out and facial grimacing or a furrowed brow.
Anxiety & Sadness
Anxiety causes feelings of stress, worry or fear that can show up as physical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, tightness in your chest and/or muscles, fast heart rate and sweating/ clamminess. Sadness can cause feelings of loss, despair, grief, helplessness, sorrow and disappointment.
Heart Failure
Worsening heart failure can present as difficulty breathing, persistent cough, increased swelling (particularly in legs, ankles and abdomen), weight gain, loss of appetite and nausea, confusion and/or lack of energy.
Restlessness, Agitation and Delirium
Restlessness, agitation and delirium are common symptoms at the end of life.
These symptoms can develop rapidly and come and go over hours or days. Symptoms may include: confusion, inability to stay still, yelling or calling out, hitting, picking at clothes, undressing, inability to sleep and withdrawal.
Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and Vomiting are common symptoms experienced at end of life. These symptoms can be very unpleasant and greatly impact a person’s quality of life.
Skin Care
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. As a person’s overall health declines, the health of their skin declines as well and it is unlikely that the body can heal wounds. Our focus is on preventing new skin breakdown and helping to lessen the symptoms that a person may experience with existing skin breakdown.
Food & Fluid Intake
As people approach end of life, it is normal and expected that they would eat and drink less. Often this can be hard for caregivers because good care is associated with providing good nutrition, and food can be viewed as a source of comfort.