November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetes is a complex disease with multiple challenges that result as the disease progresses. One of the known complexities is the impact on vision and the eyes of individuals with advancing diabetes. Diabetes-related retinopathy damages the blood vessels that support the eye and causing bleeding in the retina. The complexities that result may lead to fluid leakage in the macula causing blurred vision, a condition known as macular edema. Other known complexities include cataracts (clouding of the lens which results in blurry and dulled vision) and glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve and the loss of side vision from fluid buildup in the eye). The complexities of managing diabetes and the aging process with vision loss to blindness increase challenges for adherence to medical recommendations and independent living.

For more information, check out PreventBlindness.org

November is COPD and Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a long-term lung disease. The disease affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. Common risk factors include:

  • smoking
  • environment – inhaling hazardous fumes, air pollution, smoke, dust, chemicals
  • alpha -1 deficiency – an inherited gene that affects the ability to produce the protein that protects the lungs
  • a history of childhood respiratory infections

Lung cancer happens when cells in the lung change, because known risk factors – smoking and the environment, but lung cancer can also happen in people with no known risks. Cancer cells destroy healthy lung tissue and will spread beyond the lungs affecting other organs of the body. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women in the US with smoking as the greatest risk factor.

For more information, visit lung.org the official site of the American Lung Association.

November is Hospice and Palliative Care Month – Let’s talk Palliative

Palliative care is a medical specialty, similar to cardiology or urology. This type of specialized medical care is for people living with a serious illness. Palliative care may be utilized to support symptom management and coincide with curative treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, therapy, and/or medications. Palliative care is meant to enhance a person’s current care by focusing on quality of life for them and their family.

Palliative services are supportive for many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD), cancer, dementia, and neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s). The goal of palliative care is to reduce discomfort and the limitations associated with disability. Palliative also supports through medical, social and emotional supports. It is a team approach and aids patients in preparing for invasive treatments, understanding their disease processes, and supporting recovery and return to everyday life.

November is Hospice and Palliative Care Month – Let’s talk hospice

Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. People begin talking about hospice after they have pursued treatments and interventions. Hospice often comes up in discussion as a “final option,” but it is so much more.

At some point, a cure may no longer be possible. Hospice provides a layer of support for the patient and family after medical interventions are no longer an option. Hospice provides comprehensive comfort care as well as support for the family. Hospice is provided for a person with a terminal illness whose doctor believes he or she has six months or less to live if the illness runs its natural course. It is important to understand that the person does not need to pass in the six months. Some patients live longer than their prognosis, and this is a known benefit of hospice.

It’s important for a patient to discuss hospice care options with their doctor early and before it is a necessity. Often, people do not learn about hospice until it is the last recommendation from their doctor. The full benefits of hospice are meant to be provided through the course of the disease and prepare the individual and their family for the end. Sometimes, people don’t begin hospice care soon enough to take full advantage of the help it offers. Starting hospice early may be able to provide months of meaningful care and quality time with loved ones.

November is Hospice and Palliative Care Month

Hospice and Palliative care services are often used interchangeably. However, they are distinctive services, and for many patients and families, they are services needed at different time and spaces in the continuum of care. Here are some frequent questions we hear about hospice and palliative care:

  1. Who can be treated? Palliative can treat patients who have a serious underlying condition and are pursuing curative interventions. Hospice is designed for individuals with a serious illness that doctors believe will result in the patient passing in 6 months or less. Patients are not pursuing curative treatments at this time.
  2. Will my symptoms be relieved? Yes, for both. Hospice and Palliative services are both focused on the quality of life. Symptoms, especially pain, are targeted in the intervention.
  3. Can I continue to receive treatments to cure my illness? Yes, for palliative. No, for hospice. Hospice is only supporting with symptom relief, not curative efforts.
  4. Will Medicare pay? Yes, for hospice. Medicare covers the hospice benefit. For palliative, Medicare may cover a portion of your costs, and you may have a co-payment depending on your level of coverage.
  5. Does private insurance pay? Every plan is different, and they may restrict number of days or visits that the member is eligible to access. There may be co-payments or deductibles included to access the benefit as well.
  6. How long will I be cared for? Palliative alone does not have restrictions on the length of service though some insurance plans may limit patient access. Hospice services may be provided as long as the criteria of a life limiting illness with under a 6 month prognosis is met.
  7. Where can I receive care? For both palliative and hospice care, services can be provided in the home, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and in hospitals.

For more information, check out nia.nih.gov